Participant Medical Treatment and Disclosure Authorization, Release and Liability Waiver

This Participant Medical Treatment and Disclosure Authorization, Release and Liability Waiver (this “Waiver”) must be completed and signed before the Participant (as defined below) can participate in the P.L.A.Y.S program (the “Program”).

In consideration of the undersigned participant (the “Participant”) being given the opportunity to participate in the Program, the Participant and, if applicable, Participant’s parent/legal guardian (on the Participant’s and parent/legal guardian’s own behalf) hereby acknowledge and agree to the following:

1.  No Remuneration or Insurance Coverage: Participant is participating in the Program on a volunteer basis, solely in exchange for the opportunity to practice and play soccer and engage in related training and development activities. Neither Participant nor Participant’s parent/legal guardian will receive any monetary or other remuneration in exchange for Participant’s participation in the Program, is not an employee of any of the Released Parties (as defined below) and is not covered by workers’ compensation insurance or any other insurance policy held by any of the Released Parties. Each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian warrants that Participant’s participation in the Program is covered by their own medical insurance.

2. Physician Examination and Medical Treatment Authorization: Participant has received a physical examination by a medical physician, has not been advised or cautioned against participation in the Program, and has been found physically capable of participating in the Program. Each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian understands that it is their responsibility to continuously monitor Participant’s own physical and mental condition during the Program and agree to withdraw Participant immediately and notify appropriate personnel if at any point continued participation would create a risk of danger to self or others. Each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby authorizes any coach, staff member, athletic trainer, team manager, Program or Released Party official and/or emergency medical technician, together with any doctor of medicine, nurse, dentist, medical treatment facility and/or associated personnel designated by the Released Parties (each, a “Provider”) to conduct a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and any resulting disease (collectively, “COVID-19”), wellness screening of Participant for the safety of those involved in the Program, including taking Participant’s body temperature and assessing Participant for COVID-19 symptoms. Each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian further authorizes any Provider to provide Participant with medical and dental assistance and/or treatment and agrees to be financially responsible for the cost of any such assistance and/or treatment and to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any Released Claims (as defined below) arising from any medical or dental assistance and/or treatment. Each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby authorizes transportation of Participant to a medical treatment facility, should a Provider consider it to be warranted, and agrees to be financially responsible for the cost of such transportation. Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian understands that this authorization is given in advance of any specific diagnosis, treatment or hospital care, and that it is given to provide the Released Parties and any Provider with authority to seek medical treatment as they judge necessary for Participant.

3. Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information: If such information is provided by Participant or Participant’s parent/legal guardian,each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby authorizes the Released Parties and any Provider who has protected health information regarding Participant to release such information to any third party, including, but not limited to, other medical providers and insurance companies for purposes of treatment, payment and/or other health care operations for the duration of the Program. This authorization may be revoked at any time by informing Jessica Yavitz (jyavitz@chicagofirefc.com) and Tim Mack (tmack@chicagofirefc.com), though Participant may no longer be able to safely participate in the Program without it.

4.  Acknowledgment of Rules and Standards of Conduct.  Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian will always conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner during the Program and refrain from offensive or inappropriate remarks or conduct. The Participant and parent/legal guardian(s) of the Participant shall observe all rules, policies, and directives of the Released Parties and their personnel (including any COVID-19 protocols and those set forth in the Program’s Player Code of Conduct and Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct (collectively the “Codes”)). Each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian confirms they have reviewed and will abide by the Codes and all other rules, policies, and directives of Program administrators. The failure to follow rules, policies, or directives of the Program and/or Released Parties and their personnel may, at the Program or the Released Parties’ sole discretion, be grounds for immediate removal of the Participant from the Program. Participant understands that the implementation of any COVID-19 protocols by the Released Parties does not guarantee that Participant will not be exposed to or contract COVID-19 as a result of Participant’s attendance at the Program or pass COVID-19 on to others, including, but not limited to, family members of Participant.

5. No Virtual Custody or Control. If Participant is participating in a virtual or online Program, each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian acknowledges that because of the unique digital environment of the virtual or online Program experience, the Released Parties will have no responsibility for the physical control, custody or safety of Participant during the Program. Participant’s parent/legal guardian will retain full responsibility for Participant’s custody, control, and safety during all virtual and online Program programming, and each of Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian agrees to monitor Participant during Participant’s Program participation to ensure Participant’s safety as well as appropriate conduct in the digital environment.

6.  Assumption of Risks. By participating in the Program, each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian acknowledges that they have found the facilities, equipment, and areas to be used to be safe and acceptable for participation. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby acknowledges that the Participant will be engaging in activities that involve certain risks regardless of the care and precautions taken by the Released Parties and that the Program is related to the sport of soccer and related activities, such as strength training, running and other aerobic activities. Program events may involve strenuous exertions using various muscle groups, quick movements involving speed and change of direction, potential contact or collision with soccer balls, equipment, fixed objects (e.g., goals), other participants or referees (including persons that are older or younger and who may be larger or smaller in terms of weight and height) and various surface types of various condition, sustained physical activity that places stress on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and weather-related or natural hazards. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby further acknowledges that the specific risks vary from one activity to another, but in each activity the risks range from (i) property loss or damage, to (ii) minor injuries, such as cuts, bruises, muscle strains or sprains, to (iii) major injuries, such as broken or fractured bones, concussion or lost teeth, to (iv) catastrophic injuries, such as heart attacks or fractured skull or those that cause disfigurement, loss of mental capacity, loss of sight, speech or hearing, paralysis or death, to (v) other risks not known by Participant or Participant’s parent/legal guardian to be reasonably foreseeable at this time. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian further acknowledges that, by participating in the Program, the Participant may be exposed, or expose others, to contagious and potentially harmful or deadly disease, such as COVID-19 and any mutations or variations thereof, influenza, common cold, chicken pox, meningitis or measles. Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian understands that (a) COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death, and there is an inherent danger and risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any place where people are present, (b) no precautions, including, but not limited to, the protocols that will be implemented from time to time by the Released Parties and/or third parties (including, but not limited to, federal and state governmental agencies) can eliminate the risk of exposure to COVID-19, (c) if Participant has an underlying medical condition including lung, kidney, liver, or autoimmune diseases; serious heart conditions; obesity; diabetes; or asthma, each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian acknowledges and accepts that Participant is at higher risk for severe illness or health complications from this exposure to COVID-19, (d) the risk of severe illness from the contraction of COVID-19 increases steadily with age, and contracting COVID-19 can result in the further transmission of COVID-19 to Participant’s family members and other contacts and (e) exposure to COVID-19 can result in being subject to quarantine requirements, illness, disability, other short-term and long-term health effects, and/or death, regardless of age or health condition. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian further acknowledges that the Participant may also be exposed to (x) risks while traveling (including to and from Program events), (y) large crowds, and (z) risks related to receipt of medical or dental examination or treatment for any physical or medical conditions as pre-authorized pursuant to this Waiver.

Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian has read the paragraph immediately above and (i) understands the nature of the activities of the Program, (ii) understands the demands of those activities relative to the physical condition and skill level of the Participant and (iii) acknowledges the types of losses or damages, injuries and illnesses, as well as risks related to medical or dental examination or treatment for any physical or medical condition, which may occur as a result of participation in the Program. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby agrees and acknowledges that (a) the Participant’s participation in the Program is voluntary, (b) THEY WILLINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY assumes all risks in any way associated with, related to, or occurring as a result of, the Participant’s participation in the Program, however caused or arising AND WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN and (c) they accept personal responsibility following any loss or damage to property, injury, illness, disability or death of the Participant and, as such, understands that the Released Parties recommend that they should have insurance to cover the Participant in the event of loss or damage to property, injury, disability or death while participating in the Program.

7. Release and Waiver.  Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby knowingly, voluntarily, unconditionally, irrevocably, and forever releases, waives, discharges, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Chicago Fire Foundation, Chicago Fire Youth Camps, LLC, Chicago Fire Footy Club, LLC, Chicago Fire Football Club, LLC (the “Club”), Major League Soccer, L.L.C. (“MLS”), Soccer United Marketing, LLC, United States Soccer Foundation, Inc., the City of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, each of their affiliated entities, and each of their respective affiliates, predecessors, successors, operators, members, managers, partners, shareholders, trustees, and controlling and controlled persons (together with any and all directors, officers, elected officials, employees, volunteers, independent contractors, employees of independent contractors, service providers, representatives, administrators, licensees, designees, clubs, invitees, owners or lessors of premises used in connection with the Program, advertisers, commercial sponsors, attorneys, agents, assignees and other personnel of each of the foregoing) (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, actions, causes of action, demands, indemnity, suits, debts, sums, accounts, controversies, disputes, rights, damages, losses, judgments, awards, settlements, penalties, dues, payments, liens, executions, responsibilities and accounts, investigations, charges, costs, attorneys’ fees, losses, expenses and liabilities whatsoever (in law or equity, contingent, non-contingent, accrued, unaccrued, asserted, unasserted, liquidated, unliquidated, matured, unmatured, direct, indirect, derivative, personal, individual, collective, assigned, unassigned, discovered, undiscovered, known, unknown, suspected, unsuspected, foreseen, unforeseen, inchoate, past, present, future or otherwise) (collectively, “Claims”) that each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian (or family, estate, heirs, legatees, personal representatives, executors, insurers, administrators, beneficiaries, successor or assigns) may now have, acquire, own or hold, or at any time heretofore owned, acquired or held, or could or may hereafter own, acquire or hold, against any Released Party in connection with, relating to, or arising out of the Participant’s participation in the Program (including, without limitation, use of any field or facility owned, leased or used by the Released Parties, or services related thereto, or the exercise of rights related to any Materials defined below) even, in each case, if the Claims that the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian is releasing arise out of the negligence or carelessness of one or more of the Released Parties (collectively, the “Released Claims”). Released Claims may also include or arise out of: (i) personal injury, illness, or death; (ii) damage to, or loss or theft of, property (including, but not limited to, personal items, cars, and money); (iii) the receipt of medical care or treatment for any physical or mental condition (which shall be at Participant’s sole cost); (iv) exposure to inclement weather and/or disease (including, but not limited to COVID-19); (v) involvement in accidents of any kind; and (vi) the Rights (as defined below), including any defamation (including libel and slander), invasion of privacy, right of publicity, copyright infringement, or any other personal or property rights from or related to any exploitation of the Rights. The provisions of this paragraph are specifically intended to be binding on each of the families, estates, insurers, administrators, personal representatives, heirs, legatees, beneficiaries, executors, successors and assigns (“Related Parties”) of each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian admits the possibility that they and/or Participant’s Related Parties may not fully know the number or magnitude of all of the Released Claims, but nevertheless intends to assume all risks by releasing such unknown claims and agrees that this release is a full and final release and waiver of all of the Released Claims. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian expressly waives the benefit of any statutory or other provision that creates any exception to the provisions of this paragraph.

8. Indemnification.  Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian agrees to indemnify and hold the Released Parties harmless from Released Claims incurred by or brought against any of the Released Parties as a result of Participant, or any person on Participant’s behalf, including Related Parties, asserting any Released Claims arising from, relating to, or in connection with activities for which Participant has acknowledged and assumed risk under which is covered by the waiver and release set forth in this Waiver.

9. Personal Information and Publicity Waiver and Consent. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian consent to the Released Parties’ collection of personally identifiable information as needed to operate the Program and facilitate Participant’s participation therein. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby consents to any and all recording, photographing and filming of such Participant and/or such Participant’s parent/legal guardian and irrevocably and perpetually authorizes any of the Released Parties to copyright, publish, reproduce, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, televise, digitize, display, otherwise use, and permit others to use the name, image, biographic information (including any current diagnosis), likeness and voice of such person, as well as any photographs, videotapes, audiovisual materials, depictions, motion pictures, recordings, writings, statements, quotations or other record of participation of or by such person related to the Program (collectively the “Materials”), at any time and in any manner, form, or format whatsoever now or hereinafter created, including on the Internet and in any social media, and for any lawful purpose, including to promote or advertise the Program or Released Parties without further consent from or payment to such person (the “Rights”). Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian understand that the Released Parties are under no obligation to use the Materials and agree that all Materials and all films, audiotapes, videotapes, reproductions, media, plates, negatives, photocopies, and electronic and digital copies of the Materials are the sole property of the Released Parties and further agree not to contest the rights or authority granted to the Released Parties hereunder. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the Materials and represent that they are not members of any collective bargaining organization that could limit or otherwise materially impact the rights granted pursuant to this paragraph. 

10. Waiver.  No waiver by any Released Party of any right to enforce any term or condition of this Waiver, or any breach hereof, shall be deemed a waiver of such right in the future or of any other right or remedy available under this Waiver.

11. Severability.  Each of the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that this Waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of the State of Illinois and that if any portion hereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the remaining portion of this Waiver will continue in full force and effect.

12. Counterparts.  This Waiver may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall be deemed together as a single document. This Release may be executed and delivered by electronic means.

13. Governing Law. This Waiver shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. 

14. Assignment.  This Waiver may not be assigned by the Participant or Participant’s parent/legal guardian without the express written consent of the Club.

15. Survival.  The terms and conditions of this Waiver shall survive any expiration or earlier termination of this Waiver.

16. Dispute Resolution and Venue. In the event of any dispute relating to this Waiver or the Program, each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian agrees to engage in good faith efforts to mediate the matter. Any agreement reached will be formalized by a written contractual agreement at that time. Should the issue not be resolved by mediation, each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian agrees that all disputes, controversies, or claims arising out of or relating to this Waiver or participation in the Program shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The cost of such dispute, controversy or claim shall be paid by the prevailing party as determined by the arbitrator(s). Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian further acknowledges and agrees that any question, issue or dispute as to the arbitrability of any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Waiver or participation in the Program will be resolved before an arbitrator in accordance with the American Arbitration Association then in effect. The Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association are available online at www.adr.org. The location for all arbitration contemplated shall be in Chicago, Illinois and only substantive laws of Illinois shall apply without regard to conflict of laws principles. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian agrees that any mediation, arbitration or legal action shall proceed solely on an individual basis without the right for any claims to be arbitrated on a class action basis or on bases involving claims brought in a purported representative capacity on behalf of others. Claims may not be joined or consolidated unless agreed to in writing by all parties.

17.  ATTORNEYS’ FEES & JURY WAIVER. IN THE EVENT THAT IT SHOULD BECOME NECESSARY FOR THE CLUB OR ANY OTHER RELEASED PARTIES TO EMPLOY COUNSEL TO COLLECT THE AMOUNTS DUE TO THEM HEREUNDER OR TO ENFORCE THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTICIPANT OR PARTICIPANT’S PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN HEREUNDER, OR TO DEFEND AGAINST ANY CLAIMS ASSERTED BY THE PARTICIPANT OR PARTICIPANT’S PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THIS WAIVER, EACH OF THE PARTICIPANT AND PARTICIPANT’S PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN ALSO AGREES TO AND SHALL PAY TO THE CLUB OR SUCH OTHER RELEASED PARTIES, ON DEMAND, ALL REASONABLE COSTS OF COLLECTION, ENFORCEMENT OR DEFENSE INCURRED BY THE CLUB OR SUCH OTHER RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ATTORNEYS' FEES AND LEGAL EXPENSES FOR THE SERVICES OF COUNSEL OF THE CLUB OR SUCH OTHER RELEASED PARTIES, WHETHER OR NOT SUIT BE BROUGHT. THE CLUB, ANY SUCH OTHER RELEASED PARTIES, AND EACH OF THE PARTICIPANT AND PARTICIPANT’S PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN, AFTER CONSULTING OR HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL, EACH HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT ANY OF THEM MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS WAIVER, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, DEALING, STATEMENT (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN), OR ACTIONS OF ANY OF THEM. NEITHER THE CLUB NOR SUCH OTHER RELEASED PARTIES NOR THE PARTICIPANT NOR PARTICIPANT’S PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE, BY COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHERWISE, ANY ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN WAIVED WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY RESPECT OR RELINQUISHED BY EITHER THE CLUB OR SUCH OTHER RELEASED PARTIES OR THE PARTICIPANT OR PARTICIPANT’S PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN EXCEPT BY A WRITTEN INSTRUMENT EXECUTED BY THE CLUB AND/OR SUCH OTHER RELEASED PARTIES AND THE PARTICIPANT AND PARTICIPANT’S PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN.

Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian has read this Waiver carefully and fully understands its contents and understands that they have the right to have their own attorney review. Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian understand that Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian are hereby giving up substantial legal rights, and further agrees that no oral representations, statements or inducement contrary to anything contained herein have been made by the Released Parties. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian is aware that this is a Waiver not to sue the Released Parties and constitutes a complete release of liability by each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian, and anyone acting on their behalf. Each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian acknowledges that they are signing this Waiver of Participant’s own free will. 

If not signed by a parent or legal guardian below, Participant represents that Participant is eighteen (18) years of age or older, and Participant acknowledges that the Released Parties are relying on the grant of rights contained herein. If signed by a parent or guardian, the signee affirms that they are the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the Participant with authority to consent and execute this Waiver and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any liability arising out of any claim of any invalidity of this affirmation. By signing this Waiver, each of the Participant and Participant’s parent/legal guardian acknowledges that he/she is consenting to the Participant’s participation in the Program on the terms and conditions set forth in this Waiver.

Today's Date: April 29, 2026