Contest Rules

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTESTS PRESENTED BY THE OTTAWA BLACK BEARS  

By entering a Contest, entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules. Contests are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with X Corp. or Meta Platforms, Inc. (Facebook and Instagram). X Corp. and Meta Platforms, Inc. are completely released of all liability by each entrant in a Contest.  Any questions, comments or complaints regarding a Contest must be directed to the Sponsors (defined below) and not X Corp. or Meta Platforms, Inc. 

Standard data rates apply to entrants who choose to participate in a Contest via a mobile device.  Please contact your service provider for pricing and service plan information and rates before mobile device participation.  

These Official Rules are applicable to all Ottawa Black Bears (the “Team”) ticket and merchandise giveaways on the Team’s social media channels commencing [May 1, 2024] and ending [July 7, 2024] (the “Spring Season”) (each a “Contest”) that are conducted by the Team and, if indicated in a particular Contest call to action post, a Team sponsor (Team and such sponsors as may be indicated in Contest call to action posts to be collectively referred to herein as the “Sponsors”), unless stipulated otherwise, and where specific alternate rules and regulations are made available. By entering a Contest, entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsors which are final and binding in all respects relating to such Contest.   

1. CONTEST PERIOD  

Contest entries must be made during the time periods advertised or otherwise prescribed for each Contest in the Contest’s call to action posts and/or supplementary posts (the “Contest Period”).    

1. HOW TO ENTER  

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE OR OTHERWISE IMPACT YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. The Sponsors will conduct approximately five (5) Contests during the Spring Season (exact number to be determined by the Team in its sole discretion). There are three (3) methods of entry which may be used for the Contests. Method of entry selection for each Contest will be determined by the Sponsors in their sole discretion. Eligible Entrants (as defined below) may enter Contests using one of the following, as applicable:  

1. X (formerly Twitter) Entry  

1. Using the X App, or your web browser to go to www.x.com, login to your account (or sign up for a free account following the registration instructions on the site). ‘Follow’ the Team’s Official X Account (@ottblackbears) to receive announcements regarding the Contests and entries.  

1.  During the Spring Season, monitor your X account for a Contest call to action post with Contest details (e.g. applicable prize, approximate retail value of such prize, Contest Period, date Contest Prize Winner will be selected, etc.). The call to action post will invite you to enter the Contest by performing a specified action(s) (e.g. ‘Like’ a post, respond to a post, tag ‘@ottblackbears’, etc.) during the specified Contest Period.   

1.  Please note, in order for any responding posts to appear in the Team’s Mentions Tab, your X privacy settings must be set to public.   

1. Facebook Entry  

1. Using the Facebook App, or your web browser to go to www.facebook.com, login to your account (or sign up for a free account following the registration instructions on the site). ‘Like’ the Team’s Official Facebook Account (www.facebook.com/OttawaBlackBears) to receive announcements regarding the Contests and entries.  

1. During the Spring Season, monitor your Facebook account for a Contest call to action post with Contest details (e.g. applicable prize, approximate retail value of the prize, Contest Period, date Contest Prize Winner will be selected, etc.). The call to action post will invite you to enter the Contest by performing a specified action(s) from your account (‘Like’ a post, comment on a post, etc.) during the specified Contest Period.  

1. To receive one (1) entry, you must make sure to perform the specified action(s) within the timeframe set out in the applicable call to action post.  

1. Instagram Entry  

1. Using the Instagram App, or your web browser to go to www.instagram.com, login to your account (or sign up for a free account following the instructions on the site). ‘Follow’ the Team’s Official Instagram Account (@OTTblackbears) to receive announcements regarding the Contests and entries.  

1. During the Spring Season, monitor your Instagram account for a Contest call to action post with Contest details (e.g. applicable prize, approximate retail value of the prize, Contest Period, date Contest Prize Winner will be selected, etc.). The call to action post will invite you to enter the Contest by performing a specified action(s) from your account (e.g. ‘Like’ a post, share a post to your Instagram Story, comment on a post, tag @OTTblackbears, etc) during the specified Contest Period. 

1. To receive one (1) entry, you must make sure to perform the specified action(s) within the timeframe set out in the applicable call to action post.  

Eligible Entrants may discontinue following the Team accounts after the completion of the notification, eligibility verification and Contest Prize fulfillment procedures outlined in these Official Rules.  

Odds of winning will depend on the number of valid entries received for a Contest. Eligible Entrants may win only one (1) Contest Prize offered in association with the Contests.    

Limit of one (1) entry per Contest regardless of method of entry. In the event of multiple entries, only the first entry will be considered. All entries must be received during the Contest Period (as specified in a Contest’s call to action post and/or supplementary posts). The Sponsors do not assume any responsibility for any lost, late, damaged, destroyed, misidentified, illegible or misdirected entries, any computer errors or malfunctions, or for any other problems occurring in connection with participation in the Contests. The sole determinant of time for the purposes of receipt of a valid entry shall be the Team’s server machines. Use of any automated, script, macro, robotic, or other program(s) to enter or otherwise participate in a Contest is prohibited and will result in disqualification.  Any attempt by an entrant to obtain more entries by using multiple X, Facebook, and/or Instagram accounts is prohibited and will result in disqualification.   

By submitting an entry in a Contest, an Eligible Entrant grants to the Sponsors the unrestricted right to produce, reproduce, publish, broadcast, communicate by telecommunication, exhibit, distribute, adapt or otherwise use or re-use the content of the Eligible Entrant’s entry post/comment for any and all advertising or promotional purposes (including, but not limited to, publication and/or broadcast in media) without further compensation or permission.  

Entries will be deemed to be submitted by the authorized account holder of the social media account associated with the respective entry. Entries must comply with the respective terms of service and policies issued by X Corp. and Meta Platforms, Inc. All entries must be in good taste and the Sponsors, in their sole discretion, reserve the right to disqualify any entries they deem to be of questionable taste.   

1. ELIGIBILITY  

Unless otherwise specified, each Contest shall be open to legal residents of Canada who: (i) reside within the Province of Ontario or the Province of Quebec; and (i) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside at the time of Contest entry (each an “Eligible Entrant”), unless otherwise noted. The Sponsors have the right to require proof of eligibility from any individual who enters a Contest.  Failure to provide such proof may result in disqualification from a Contest.   

Individuals are not eligible to participate in a Contest if they are: (i) employees, agents or representatives of the Sponsors, or any business operating within Canadian Tire Centre, or their respective agents, affiliates, subsidiaries, related companies, sponsors, advertising or promotional agencies, or assignees; or (ii) a member of the household and/or immediate family of any of the above parties. For the purposes of these Official  Rules, “immediate family” means husband, wife, spouse, mother, father, brother, sister, son and/or daughter, whether or not they reside in the same household.  

1. PRIZES  

At least one (1) prize will be awarded per Contest (each a “Contest Prize”); type, number and value of Contest Prizes may vary from Contest to Contest at the discretion of the Sponsors. Exact number of Contest Prizes to be awarded during a particular Contest will be included in the Contest’s call to action post and/or supplementary posts relating to such Contest. Contest Prize details, including approximate retail value inclusive of applicable taxes and fees, will be announced for each Contest separately in the Contest call to action post or supplementary posts from the Team’s social media account(s) as described in section 2 above. Contest Prizes must be accepted as awarded (including but not limited to compliance with any scheduling requirements and any venue health and safety requirements) and may not be traded, sold, assigned, transferred or substituted, except in the sole discretion of the Sponsors. The Sponsors, in their sole discretion, reserve the right to substitute a Contest Prize, in whole or in part, in the event that all or any of the components of a Contest Prize is unavailable. In the event that the Prize consists of or includes attendance at an event that is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled for any reason whatsoever, a substitute prize or cash equivalent will not be provided. Winners and their guests are responsible for transportation, parking, accommodation, food and beverage and all taxes, gratuities and all other incidental costs pertaining to the Contest Prizes.   

In the event that a potential winner of a Contest Prize is unable to redeem any or all of the prize components due to reasons beyond the control of the Sponsors, no compensation or substitute prize will be awarded.    

Any difference between the approximate retail value referred to herein and the actual value of a Contest Prize will not be awarded.  

Contest Prize Winners will be directed as to how to claim their respective Contest Prizes after they have been successfully contacted and notified of the respective Contest Prize, have complied with the Official Rules and have signed and returned a Contest Release (described below) and any other documentation required by the Sponsors in their sole discretion.  The Contest Prizes will be delivered within a reasonable period of time. 

1. SELECTION OF WINNERS  

Prize winners will be selected by random draw from all eligible entries received for the respective Contest (“Contest Prize Winner”) (number of Contest Prizes to be awarded in a particular draw will be included in the respective Contest’s call to action post). Random draws will be conducted by representatives of the Team at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario on the dates and time specified for each Contest.   

The Eligible Entrant(s) selected as the potential winner(s) of each Contest will be notified by direct message to the social media account associated with the winning entry/entries. The Sponsors are not responsible for a selected Contest Prize Winner’s failure to receive notification for any reason whatsoever. No contact or correspondence will be entered into except with potential winners of the Contest.   

A Contest Prize Winner shall have twenty-four (24) hours to: (i) communicate acceptance of the applicable prize; (ii) correctly answer, unaided, a mathematical skill-testing question; and (iii) execute and return to the Sponsors a Contest Release form (as described below).  

In the event that a potential winner does not comply with any of the above requirements within twenty-four (24) hours of having been sent the notification via direct message, the Sponsors have the right to treat the applicable Contest Prize as having been forfeited and the Sponsors may select an alternate potential winner of the applicable prize in their sole discretion.   

1. GENERAL RULES  

All decisions of the Sponsors relating to the Contests, including (but not limited to) the eligibility of entrants, the selection of the Contest Prize Winners and the availability of the Contest Prizes, shall be final and shall be made in the sole discretion of the Sponsors.   

The Sponsors will not be responsible for any incomplete, illegible, destroyed, late or lost entries.  All such entries, including entries that have been tampered with or altered, are void.  The Sponsors do not assume any responsibility for incorrect or inaccurate capture of entry information, technical defects or malfunctions of hardware or software, human or technical error, printing errors, lost, delayed or garbled data or transmissions or electronic communications which are undeliverable due to filtering programs or lack of space in the recipient’s account.  The Sponsors shall not be responsible for any technical problems, including any injury or damage to an entrant’s or any other person’s mobile device or computer or property related to or resulting from playing or downloading any material in relation to the Contest. 

In the event that an Eligible Entrant is selected as a Contest Prize Winner, such Contest Prize Winner authorizes the Sponsors to photograph, videotape, film or sound record the Contest Prize Winner. Contest Prize Winners permit the Sponsors to use their names and such photographs, video recordings, films or sound recordings for any and all promotional purposes (including publication, use in digital media (including website and social media use) and/or broadcast media) without further compensation or permission. Contest Prize Winners acknowledge that the Sponsors shall have the sole right to photograph, videotape, film or sound record their acceptance and participation in the Contest Prizes.   

By participating in a Contest, entrants consent to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information by the Sponsors for the purpose of administering such Contest, awarding the Contest Prize, and announcing the Contest Prize Winner(s) as well as any subsequent advertising or promotion relating thereto. Personal information collected in connection with a Contest will be used by the Sponsors in accordance with the Team’s privacy policy available at www.ottawablackbears.com.    

All intellectual property related to this Contest, including but not limited to logos, design marks, trademarks, copyright, service marks, trade names, related words, phrases, slogans, caricatures, graphics and images are owned or used under license by the Sponsors and/or any affiliates or subsidiaries thereof.  All rights are reserved.  Unauthorized copying or use of any intellectual property without the express written consent of its owner is strictly prohibited.  

In the event that any discrepancy or inconsistency arises between these Official Rules and statements and/or representations made in relation to a Contest or contained in any Contest-related materials, the Official Rules shall prevail. In the event that there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between the English language version and the French language version of the Official Rules, the English version shall prevail, govern and control. 

In the event that any provision of the Official Rules is not strictly enforced by the Sponsors, it shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision contained herein.    

The following are prohibited and will result in automatic disqualification from a Contest: (i) non-compliance with the Official Rules; or (ii) any other act determined by the Sponsors, in their sole discretion, to jeopardize, or potentially jeopardize, the integrity of a Contest.  

The Sponsors reserve the right to change the Official Rules and/or terminate, modify, suspend or withdraw a Contest (and/or any aspect thereof), in whole or in part, at any time without notice for any reason, without liability, in their sole discretion.  The Sponsors shall not be liable for any typos or errors contained within the Official Rules and reserve the right to amend the Official Rules at any time without notice in their sole discretion. 

The Contests are subject to all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations and shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of the Official Rules or the rights and obligations as between the entrant and the Sponsors in connection with the Contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the province of Ontario including procedural provisions without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions that would cause the application of any other jurisdiction’s laws.  

1. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION  

By participating in a Contest hereunder, each entrant agrees:  

1. a) to be bound by these Official Rules; 

1. b) to be bound by the decisions of the Sponsors, which shall be final and binding in all respects; and 

1. c) to sign and return a publicity release and release of liability form (the “Contest Release”) which confirms, among other things, that the entrant: (i) releases the Sponsors, Capital Sports Properties Inc. (owner of the Canadian Tire Centre), GF Sports & Entertainment (owner of the Team), Aramark Entertainment Services (Canada), Inc., X Corp., Meta Platforms, Inc., the National Lacrosse League (“NLL”), the NLL member teams, the NLL current and former players, and each of their respective affiliates, parents, and related entities, as well as the owners, governors, officers, directors, partners, partnerships, principals, employees, agents, representatives, volunteers, sponsors, promoters, and advertisers of all the foregoing from any and all liability arising out of or in any way connected to entrant’s participation in the Contest, participation in any Contest-related activity, the acceptance, use or misuse of the Contest Prize, the use of personal information described herein and the use of merchandise purchased as a result of winning the Contest Prize, including but not limited to costs, injuries, losses or damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to, loss or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation, or portrayal in a false light, or from any and all claims of third parties arising therefrom; and (ii) grants to the Sponsors and/or their respective agents the unrestricted right to produce, reproduce, publish, broadcast, communicate, exhibit, distribute, adapt and otherwise use or re-use the entrant’s city/province of residence, statements, endorsements, biography, name, voice, photograph and likeness for advertising and/or publicity purposes without compensation, other than the value of the Contest Prize offered, in any and all media, now known or hereafter devised.