This page is a reference copy of the agreement every Main Stage Athletics family reviews and signs during athlete intake. The binding version is executed electronically via DocuSign at sign-up. This v4 text is pending final attorney review.
Main Stage Athletics, LLC — Participant Agreement, Release of Liability, Indemnification, and Assumption of Risk
Version 4.0 · Effective Date: 2026-06-03
READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING. This document affects your legal rights. By signing this Agreement, you and your minor child are giving up certain legal rights, including the right to recover damages in case of injury, death, or property loss caused by Main Stage Athletics LLC’s ordinary negligence, AND you are agreeing to resolve any disputes through binding arbitration rather than in court (see Section 12).
This Participant Agreement, Release of Liability, Indemnification, and Assumption of Risk (the “Agreement”) is entered into between Main Stage Athletics, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company with its principal mailing address at 210 Marlboro Avenue, Suite 25 Box 303, Easton, MD 21601 (“MSA”), and the parent or legal guardian (“Parent”) signing on behalf of the minor athlete (“Athlete”).
1. Participant and Activities
At signing, Parent provides the Athlete’s full legal name, date of birth, primary sport(s), MSA membership tier (Foundation, Performance, Elite, or à la carte), and the Parent/guardian’s name, relationship to the Athlete, phone, email, and address.
“Activities” means all athletic and recreational activities conducted by or under the auspices of MSA, including but not limited to soccer training, multi-sport training, basketball training, conditioning, agility work, video review sessions, virtual coach webinars, college recruiting consultations, transportation to and from any of the foregoing, and any other activity organized, sponsored, or supervised by MSA or its independent contractors.
2. Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk
Parent acknowledges and agrees that participation in the Activities involves inherent and other risks of physical injury, including but not limited to: collisions with other participants, equipment, or fixed objects; falls, sprains, fractures, concussions and other head injuries, heat- and cold-related illness, dehydration, overuse injuries, and in rare cases catastrophic injury or death. Risks may arise from the Athlete’s own conduct, the conduct of other participants or coaches, equipment failure, weather conditions, the condition of fields or facilities, and the inherent nature of competitive athletic training. Parent has carefully considered these risks and voluntarily and knowingly agrees that the Athlete will participate in the Activities.
Communicable Disease Acknowledgement. Parent further acknowledges that the Activities may bring the Athlete into close contact with other participants, coaches, and shared equipment, and that this contact carries inherent risk of exposure to communicable diseases, including but not limited to COVID-19, influenza, respiratory viruses, gastrointestinal illness, and other infectious diseases. Parent understands that MSA cannot guarantee that any participant, coach, or facility will be free of such diseases, and voluntarily and knowingly assumes all such risks of exposure on behalf of the Athlete.
3. Concussion Awareness (Maryland HB 858)
Parent acknowledges receipt of MSA’s concussion-awareness information sheet and confirms that Parent and Athlete understand the signs, symptoms, and risks of concussion. If MSA’s coach suspects the Athlete has sustained a concussion, the Athlete will be removed from play or practice immediately and may not return until written clearance has been provided by a licensed health-care provider. Parent agrees to comply with this protocol consistent with Maryland Education Article § 7-433 and HB 858.
4. Medical Information and Authorization
At signing, Parent provides current medical information (known allergies, medical conditions, current medications, insurance carrier and member ID, primary-care physician, and an emergency contact). In the event of a medical emergency where Parent cannot be reached, Parent authorizes MSA’s coaches and designated representatives to: (a) administer basic first aid; (b) contact emergency medical services; (c) authorize transport to a hospital or emergency facility; and (d) consent to emergency medical treatment determined necessary by attending medical personnel. Parent agrees to be financially responsible for all medical care and transport for the Athlete.
5. Release of Liability
In consideration of the Athlete being permitted to participate in the Activities, Parent, on behalf of Parent and the Athlete, and on behalf of their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, assigns, and successors, hereby releases, waives, and forever discharges Main Stage Athletics, LLC, its members, managers, officers, employees, contractors, coaches, agents, sponsors, and any volunteers (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages, losses, and expenses of any kind (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), arising from or in any way connected with the Athlete’s participation in the Activities, including those caused by the ordinary negligence of any of the Released Parties. This release does NOT apply to claims arising from the gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of any Released Party.
6. Indemnification
Parent agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any claim, demand, action, suit, damage, loss, or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) brought by or on behalf of the Athlete, Parent, or any third party arising out of or in connection with the Athlete’s participation in the Activities, except to the extent caused by the gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct of a Released Party.
7. Photo and Media Release
Parent grants MSA a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use the Athlete’s name, image, likeness, voice, and performance in photographs, video, audio recordings, and other media captured during the Activities, for purposes of: MSA marketing, social media, recruiting materials, instructional content, and internal coach development. MSA shall not sell or transfer the Athlete’s image to any third party for commercial purposes unrelated to MSA’s youth-athletics business. Parent may revoke this consent prospectively by written notice to MSA, but revocation does not require MSA to remove materials already published. Parents who do not consent to media use may decline it at signing.
8. Communications and SMS Consent
MSA communicates with parents about Athlete training, sessions, evaluations, compliance items, and account matters through email, phone calls, and SMS text messages. Email communications are sent to the email address on file and do not require additional consent.
SMS Text Messaging (TCPA consent). Federal law (the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227 and FCC implementing regulations) requires Parent’s express written consent before MSA may send text messages relating to MSA’s services. At signing, Parent may expressly consent to receive recurring operational SMS from MSA (session reminders and confirmations, evaluation- and program-delivery notifications, schedule changes, compliance reminders, billing notices, and direct communications from MSA coaches). Typical volume is fewer than 10 messages per month. Message and data rates may apply. Parent may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any MSA text, by emailing hello@mainstageathletics.com, or by toggling SMS off in account preferences; reply HELP for help. MSA does not sell, rent, or share Parent’s mobile number with third parties for their own marketing purposes. A separate, optional consent covers promotional/marketing SMS (no more than four messages per month); Parent may accept operational SMS while declining marketing SMS.
9. Code of Conduct
Athlete and Parent agree to comply with MSA’s Athlete and Spectator Code of Conduct. Violations — including abusive behavior toward coaches, officials, or other participants, harassment, repeated violations of safety rules, or activities that endanger other participants — may result in suspension or termination of the Athlete’s participation in MSA’s Activities without refund.
10. SafeSport and Reporting
MSA is committed to SafeSport principles and protects the welfare of minor athletes. Any concern about an Athlete’s safety, including suspected abuse or misconduct by a coach, contractor, or other participant, should be reported immediately to Eugene Hicks, Founder, at (443) 303-2800 or hello@mainstageathletics.com. Parent may also report directly to the U.S. Center for SafeSport at uscenterforsafesport.org/report or the Maryland Child Protective Services hotline at 1-800-91-PREVENT.
11. Governing Law and Severability
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Subject to Section 12 (Dispute Resolution and Binding Arbitration), the Parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Talbot County, Maryland for any dispute arising under this Agreement that is not subject to arbitration. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions, including in particular Section 12, shall continue in full force and effect.
12. Dispute Resolution and Binding Arbitration
Please read this section carefully, as it affects your legal rights and requires the use of binding arbitration to resolve disputes.
Arbitration Requirement. Parent, on behalf of themselves and the Athlete, and MSA agree that any and all disputes, claims, or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Athlete’s participation in the Activities, or any injuries or damages sustained (whether based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation, or any other legal theory) shall be resolved exclusively by final and binding arbitration, rather than in court.
Rules and Venue. The arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall take place in Talbot County, Maryland, or virtually if mutually agreed.
Class Action Waiver. Parent and MSA agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action. If for any reason a claim proceeds in court rather than in arbitration, both parties waive any right to a jury trial.
Cost Allocation. The payment of filing, administration, and arbitrator fees will be governed by the AAA rules. Each party will bear their own attorneys’ fees and costs unless the arbitrator determines that a claim was frivolous.
Exceptions / Carve-Outs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this arbitration agreement does not preclude: (a) reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or misconduct to law enforcement, child protective services, or the U.S. Center for SafeSport; or (b) either party seeking emergency equitable or injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Maryland to prevent immediate and irreparable harm.
Authority to Bind. Parent expressly agrees that this dispute resolution provision is binding upon the Parent, the minor Athlete, and their respective heirs, executors, and assigns, regardless of the enforceability of the Release of Liability provisions herein.
13. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties on the subject of the Athlete’s participation in MSA Activities and supersedes any prior oral or written agreements. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature, each of which is deemed an original.
Acknowledgement
By signing at intake, Parent acknowledges that they have read this Agreement in full and understand its terms; that they are the parent or legal guardian of the Athlete; that they are voluntarily signing on behalf of themselves and the Athlete; that this Agreement releases MSA from liability for ordinary negligence and includes a covenant not to sue; that Section 12 requires disputes to be resolved through binding arbitration rather than in court; that Section 8 governs SMS communications; and that they have had the opportunity to consult legal counsel of their choosing and are signing freely and without duress. An Athlete acknowledgement is recommended for ages 13+.
Main Stage Athletics, LLC · mainstageathletics.com · hello@mainstageathletics.com · (443) 303-2800. Questions about this agreement? Contact us before signing.
