In an unprecedented move, Team Vitality have chosen to re-sign Tekken 8 pro Jeon “Jeondding” Sang Hyun until 2030, securing the longest contract extension in fighting game history.

Fighting games have had an ever-growing influence in the world of esports, especially with how much money is on the line at the Esports World Cup. Signing just one Street Fighter, Tekken, or Fatal Fury player can earn orgs literal millions if they place well.

The majority of orgs that have begun to invest in the space have chosen to sign players on short-term contracts, signing whatever player they could find that had a shot at glory, only to drop them once the EWC is over for the year.

Jeondding, on the other hand, has made history with Vitality choosing to retain him into the next decade. What makes this one Tekken player so special that he’s received the single biggest contract renewal in fighting game history?

Jeondding Sets New Bar for Fighting Game Pros

Fighting games are infamously difficult to sponsor, even now in a landscape where the EWC has brought more potential for profit than ever.

Outside of the Street Fighter League, they wholly lack the franchising structure of most other mainstream esports, structures that guarantee their players get screen time. While signing one player is much cheaper than trying to maintain an entire team, there’s the risk of no return on investment.

In order to get something out of signing a fighting game pro, they have to either be really, really good or bring immense value to your brand.

Jeondding is a rare example of someone who has a larger-than-life personality and the results to back it up. He consistently gets top 8 at the biggest tournaments in the world, all while flexing on stage. He’s a showman through and through.

So, while Vitality is likely interested in keeping Jeondding around for his results, he has also become a key part of their brand in the fighting game space.

For reference, the only recent example in esports that’s comparable is Faker signing with T1 until the end of 2029. Considering that Faker is the face of League of Legends, Jeondding getting similar flowers goes to show just how important he is to Vitality.