ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND RELEASE (the “Release”)
General Release & Waiver For Tampa Bay Lightning.
Last updated: January 2025
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND RELEASE
Everyone who wishes to observe or participate in any Event (defined below) must complete this form annually.
The participant identified on the registration page (or if the participant is a minor, such minor’s parent or legal guardian both on behalf of itself and such minor) (collectively, “Releasor”), in consideration of being provided the opportunity by Vinik Sports Group (defined below) to play, perform, attend, or otherwise participate in the recreational and promotional activities offered by Vinik Sports Group during the 2025 calendar year to be held in and around the Tampa, FL area, (collectively, the “Event(s)”), voluntarily agrees as follows:
1. RELEASE FROM LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO INSTITUTE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. Releasor hereby irrevocably undertakes and agrees, for himself/herself and his/her personal representatives, executors, liquidators, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors, agents and assigns, and anyone else who might claim on Releasor’s behalf (collectively with the Releasor, the “Releasor Parties”), to release, waive, indemnify, hold harmless and discharge Vinik Sports Group LLC, VSG Enterprises LLC, Tampa Bay Sports and Entertainment LLC, Tampa Bay Entertainment Properties, LLC, Tampa Bay Arena, LLC, Lightning Hockey LP, Lightning Foundation, Inc., Lightning High School Hockey League, Inc., Because We Love the Game, Inc., TBSE Football, LLC, TB Sports Retail, LLC, TBSE Enterprises LLC, TBSE Esports, LLC, TBEP Facilities, LLC, TBEP Hospitality I, LLC, TBEP Hospitality I JV, LLC, TBEP Live LLC, TBEP Media LLC, TBEP Commercial Sales LLC (collectively, “Vinik Sports Group”), Strategic Property Partners, LLC, the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Tampa Sports Authority, Sun Dome, Inc., University of South Florida Board of Trustees, and Tampa Sportservice, Inc., each owner and operator of any Event, each arena or venue in which Event(s) are held, each sponsor, promoter and advertiser of any Event or any part of them, each person or entity engaged by Vinik Sports Group as an independent contractor or otherwise in connection with any Event, the National Hockey League (“NHL”), each Member Club of the NHL and each owner of a Member Club of the NHL, the National Hockey League Players’ Association and each former and current NHL player (the “NHL Entities”), and each of the foregoing’s respective owners, parents, subsidiaries, stockholders, partners and other affiliates and related persons or entities, and each officer, director, governor, regent, member, trustee, employee, volunteer, licensor, licensee, insurer, sponsor, partner, principal, representative and agent of each of the foregoing, and all of the foregoing’s respective successors and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”), from and against any and all liabilities, losses (economic and non-economic), damages, liens, actions, obligations, judgments, orders, costs, expenses (including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees and expenses), causes of action, suits and claims of any nature whatsoever in law, equity or otherwise, whether known or unknown (collectively, the “Liabilities”) which any Releasor Party had, now has, or hereafter may have, including any Liabilities which any minor Releasor or Releasor Party has or hereafter may acquire, either before or after he/she has reached his/her majority, by reason of any matter directly or indirectly arising out of or connected in any way with the Event(s), including, without limitation, those arising from, whether directly or indirectly, based upon, or relating to exposure to an infectious or communicable disease (including without limitation, COVID-19), contracting an infectious or communicable disease (including without limitation, COVID-19), bodily injury or death to, or damage to or loss of property of Releasor, sustained in connection with Releasor’s participation (as a player, entertainer, spectator, participant or otherwise) in any event, clinic, competition, demonstration, exhibition, practice, game or activity associated with or comprising the Event(s), including, but not limited to, any sponsor, media, Member Club or other on-ice/court/field or off-ice/court/field activity or event (e.g., any contest or promotion), or travel to or from any Event and the grant of rights hereunder (including arising out of or in connection with the Materials, as defined below). Such release, waiver, indemnification, hold harmless and discharge shall include, but not be limited to, any and all such Liabilities caused in whole or in part by the fault or negligence of, or breach of contract or any duty of care by, any Releasee in connection with such Releasee’s involvement with any Event. Without limiting the foregoing, Releasor on behalf of himself/herself and the Releasor Parties, COVENANTS AND AGREES TO WAIVE ANY CLAIM AND NOT TO INSTITUTE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY RELEASEES FOR ANY OF THE LIABILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN RELEASED AND DISCHARGED HEREIN. If Releasor’s participation requires hockey equipment or any other kind of equipment, Releasor agrees that he/she will bring with him/her, a complete set of hockey equipment (all meeting CSA or HECC standards), or such other equipment, as applicable. Releasor acknowledges that he/she will not be allowed to participate in the Event(s) without meeting these equipment requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent hockey equipment or any other kind of equipment is made available to Releasor in connection with any Event, Releasor understands that any such equipment is being made available to Releasor solely by the sponsor or manufacturer of such equipment, and not any other person (including but not limited to any of the Releasees), and Releasor acknowledges and agrees that the fit, adjustment and any use thereof by Releasor is solely Releasor’s responsibility and risk notwithstanding any inspection or assistance rendered by any of the Releasees.
2. RELEASOR ASSUMES RISK. Releasor hereby acknowledges and declares that he/she has been made aware of and understands the inherent risks (both known and unknown) and dangers (direct or indirect) associated with the Event(s), including without limitation (i) those related to the sport of hockey, football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, on-ice/court/field and off-ice/court/field activities and attendance at sporting events, (ii) those related to the handling of (or engagement with) various machines, tools and similar items, including, but not limited to, those a reasonable person would consider dangerous, (iii) those related to the handling of (or engagement with) various animals, including, but not limited to, those a reasonable person would consider dangerous (e.g. alligator, snake, etc.), (iv) those related to participating in various activities, including, but not limited to, acrobatic stunts into and/or around bodies of water and (v) the potential for injury and/or damages that exists when participating in such activities set forth in (i)-(iv) above and Event(s) (whether as a player, entertainer, spectator, participant, visitor or otherwise). Releasor hereby agrees to assume all risk of and responsibility for exposure to an infectious or communicable disease (including without limitation, COVID-19), contracting an infectious or communicable disease including without limitation, COVID-19), personal injury or death to, or damage to or loss of property of Releasor arising from, based upon or relating to Releasor’s participation (as a player, entertainer, spectator, participant or otherwise) in connection with any Event or caused, in whole or in part, by Releasor’s fault or negligence. Such assumption of risk includes but is not limited to any damage to or loss of property, arising from, based upon or relating to the lack of skill of any participant in any Event, or caused in whole or in part by the negligence of any Releasee. Releasor hereby understands and has been made aware that, in the event of any injury to Releasor, none of Releasees will be responsible for any decisions relating to medical care, decisions or treatment for Releasor or for such treatment itself including, without limitations, any costs and/or expenses incurred in connection therewith.
3. TRANSPORTATION. Releasor hereby understands and agrees that none of Releasees shall be obligated to provide transportation for Releasor to or from any Event. The use of any transportation that is provided by Releasees is not a required component of participation in the Event(s) and is subject to all releases, assumptions of risk and representations contained herein. Releasees shall not have any responsibility whatsoever for accompanying a Releasor who elects not to utilize any Releasee-provided transportation.
4. REPRESENTATIONS. Releasor acknowledges that Releasor’s participation in any Event(s) is conditioned on Releasor’s consent to the terms of this Release. Releasor acknowledges and agrees that he/she will not melt, mutilate, and/or ingest ice from any ice surface at any Event. Releasor hereby represents and warrants that he/she has had full opportunity to ask any questions regarding the Event(s) that he/she may have and that he/she has read understood and declared, himself/herself is satisfied with the contents of this Release and that he/she has been given an opportunity to review this Release with anyone he/she chooses, including a lawyer, and has done so to the extent he/she wishes to do so. Releasor further represents and warrants that Releasor is in good physical condition, is physically fit to participate in the Event(s) and is not subject to any medical condition that poses or may pose any risk of harm or disability to Releasor or to others. Releasor further represents and warrants that he/she is of sound mind and body and not under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or medication which may in any way impair Releasor’s ability to enter into this Release, fully understand the intent and meaning of all the terms and provisions of this Release or participate safely in the Event(s). Releasor acknowledges and agrees that his/her participation in the Event(s) is voluntary and solely for his/her benefit and entertainment. Releasor understands that he/she can withdraw from the Event(s) at any time. Releasor acknowledges and agrees that he/she will not be compensated by any of the Releasees for participating in any of the Event(s).
5. RIGHT OF PUBLICITY. Releasor hereby grants to Releasees and each of their designees the unrestricted, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, fully paid-up right and license to (a) take photographs, make audiovisual recordings, and otherwise use the name, image and/or likeness of Releasor in connection with his/her participation at or in any Event(s) (the “Materials”) and (b) reproduce, copy, publish, display, distribute, perform, translate, adapt, publicly present, communicate to the public by telecommunications, copyright, exhibit, license, modify, edit, create digitized images of, juxtapose, synchronize, broadcast, reuse, create derivative works from and otherwise exploit or use and permit to be used such Materials or any part thereof, whether alone or in combination with other materials, in each case without notice or right of prior review or approval, in any and all markets in any and all media now known or hereafter devised in perpetuity throughout the universe. In connection with the foregoing, Releasor hereby irrevocably consents and authorizes Releasees to use, and authorize the use of, the name, city of residence, image/likeness, photograph (still and moving), picture, voice recording, performance, and/or any other identification of Releasor for any and all purposes, including, without limitation, advertising, publicity, instructional, sales relating thereto or any other purposes in connection with the Event(s) or Releasees and their goods, services or other businesses, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised in perpetuity throughout the universe, without compensation, notice or right of prior review or approval (to the extent permitted by law). Releasor agrees, for himself/herself and the Releasor Parties, to release and discharge each Releasee from, to waive in respect of each Releasee, and not to institute legal proceedings against any Releasee for, any and all Liabilities arising from, based upon or relating to any claim for invasion of privacy, violation of right of publicity, defamation or appropriation, or any similar claim any Releasor Parties may have now or in the future, whether known or unknown, in connection with any such use. Releasor, on behalf of all Releasor Parties, hereby waives and releases, on behalf of himself/herself and the Releasor Parties, any and all claims that he/she or any Releasor Party may have or hereafter have against the Releasees under any other statutes or common law principles of similar effect. Releasor hereby undertakes and agrees on behalf of himself/herself and the Releasor Parties, not to withdraw consent to the collection, use and disclosure of Materials.
6. NO OBLIGATION OF RELEASEES. None of Releasees shall have, or be deemed to have, any obligation to Releasor or any other Releasor Parties hereunder or otherwise in connection with any Event unless set forth in writing signed by Releasor and Releasee. Releasor understands that the Releasees do not carry or maintain health, medical or disability insurance coverage for Releasor. Releasor is expected and encouraged to obtain his or her own medical or health insurance coverage.
7. CLASS ACTION WAIVER. Releasor acknowledges and agrees that any and all disputes relating to or arising from Releasor’s participation in any Event and/or relating to this Release shall be instituted only in an individual capacity. Releasor waives any right to pursue or participate in claims on a class, collective, representative, or consolidated basis (collectively “Class Action”). Releasor cannot initiate a Class Action in court as to any disputes relating to or arising from Releasor’s participation in any Event and/or relating to this Release and cannot join a Class Action or participate as a member of a Class Action instituted by someone else in court as to any disputes relating to or arising from Releasor’s participation in any Event and/or relating to this Release.
8. ARBITRATION AND CHOICE OF LAW. In further consideration of being allowed to participate in the Event(s), Releasor (on behalf of himself/herself and any minor children for whom he/she has the capacity to contract) agrees to submit any dispute arising from such participation to binding arbitration pursuant to American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) rules. Each party shall pay its own costs. The arbitration proceeding shall proceed exclusively in Hillsborough County, Florida, shall be governed by the Federal Rules of Evidence, and all parties agree to establish a reasonable and appropriate discovery schedule under AAA rules to expeditiously resolve this matter. Any court of competent jurisdiction may enforce the arbitration award. Any dispute arising under this Release shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to conflict of laws principles.
9. MISCELLANEOUS. This Release shall constitute the entire understanding between Releasor and the Releasees with respect to the subjects discussed in this Release. The invalidity of any provision of this Release shall not affect the enforceability or effectiveness of any other provision. If any portion of the Release shall be held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portion hereof shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.
I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE. I AM AWARE THAT THIS RELEASE INCLUDES A RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, AN ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND AN AGREEMENT TO INDEMNIFY THE RELEASEES. I UNDERSTAND I HAVE GIVEN UP RIGHTS THAT MAY OTHERWISE BE AVAILABLE BY AGREEING TO THIS RELEASE, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE. I HAVE AGREED TO THIS RELEASE FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY COERCION, INDUCEMENT, ASSURANCE OR GUARANTEE.
NOTICE TO THE MINOR CHILD’S NATURAL GUARDIAN
READ THIS FORM COMPLETELY AND CAREFULLY. YOU ARE AGREEING TO LET YOUR MINOR CHILD ENGAGE IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITY. YOU ARE AGREEING THAT, EVEN IF RELEASEES USE REASONABLE CARE IN PROVIDING THIS ACTIVITY, THERE IS A CHANCE YOUR CHILD MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN DANGERS INHERENT IN THE ACTIVITY WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED OR ELIMINATED. BY CONSENTING TO THIS FORM YOU ARE GIVING UP YOUR CHILD’S RIGHT AND YOUR RIGHT TO RECOVER FROM RELEASEES IN A LAWSUIT FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, TO YOUR CHILD OR ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM THE RISKS THAT ARE A NATURAL PART OF THE ACTIVITY. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO CONSENT TO THIS FORM, AND RELEASEES HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO LET YOUR CHILD PARTICIPATE IF YOU DO NOT CONSENT TO THIS FORM.
Parents or Legal Guardians must also agree if the Releasor is UNDER 18.
*If consenting as the Parent or Legal Guardian of more than 1 minor, please utilize a second form.
Contact Information
Terms of Service are set by individual teams and mascots
Questions about the Terms of Service should be sent to us at hello@mascot-link.com.