OFFICIAL RULES

HHGREGG BASKETBALL BRACKET BREAKDOWN

2010 Official Game Rules

 

1.              NO PURCHASE, CONTRIBUTION OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  This basketball bracket game ("Game") begins at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time on March 1, 2010 and continues through three (3) rounds of bracket play ( "Round") during the college basketball national championship tournament, ("Tournament"), ending at midnight Eastern Time on April 5th, 2010 ("Game Period"). All references to time in these provisions are Eastern Standard Time. The Game is designed solely as a skill and knowledge-based, non-gambling promotional program ("Promotion") and is only intended for the entertainment and enjoyment of the participants. The Promotion begins with the start of registration at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time on March 1, 2010 and continues through the end of the "viewing period" of posted winning participants ("Winners") at midnight Eastern Time on April 26th, 2010 ("Promotion Period"). From all eligible entries received, Winners will be identified according to the process set out in paragraph 4 below. Every participant's likelihood of winning is based solely on one's knowledge, ability and skill in evaluating and selecting winning college basketball players and teams to accumulate the most points in the Game during the 2010 basketball season. Participation in the Game is described, regulated and clarified by and wholly subject to the provisions of these official rules ("Official Rules").

 

              2.              ELIGIBILITY.  The Game is open to individuals (only individuals may register and enter) legally residing, for purposes of all applicable state and federal tax laws, in one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia (excluding Guam, Puerto Rico, and all other U.S. and foreign territories and possessions) ("Eligibility Area"), who are 18 years of age or older at the start of the Game Period and have the ability to enter into valid contracts in their personal jurisdiction of residence. The Game is VOID outside of the Eligibility Area and where otherwise taxed, prohibited or restricted. Employees of Athlon Sports Communications, Inc. ("Athlon") and hhgregg inc.  ("Sponsor") and each of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies, officers, directors, employees, and agents, their immediate families (defined as spouse, child, sibling, parent or grandparent or so-called "step" or "half' variations of any of the preceding individuals), and those living in their same households are ineligible to play, win or collect prizes in the Game. Only individuals meeting all eligibility requirements and correctly registering for the Game as set out in paragraph 3 below may participate in the Game ("Players"). Each Player is required to indicate his/her acceptance to the Official Rules where indicated; provided, however, that any Player's participation in the Game constitutes and is deemed Player's agreement to the Official Rules and any and all decisions of Athlon and any third-party judges, which are final and binding in all respects. Players agree to waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Game and/or these Official Rules.

 

              3.              HOW TO REGISTER.  Beginning 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time on March 1, 2010 Players will log on to http://sports.hhgregg.com ("Site") and follow the instructions for registration and access to the Site. During registration, Player will provide the requested information, including Player's name, e-mail address, physical address, and telephone number and the selection of a display name for playing the game during subsequent visits. Player may also be asked to consent to receive promotional e-mails.  Consenting to receive promotional e-mails is optional and refusal to consent will not render any Player ineligible to play the Game or win prizes or affect or reduce any Player's chances of winning. Each individual Player may only register once.  Following registration, Players will follow the instructions to access and play the Game.

 

              4.              HOW TO PLAY/ACCRUE POINTS & PRIZES.  In the hhgregg Basketball Bracket Breakdown Game, Players use their knowledge, ability and skill to evaluate the entire starting field of the sixty-four (64) college basketball teams competing in the Tournament ("Round 1"), the remaining group of sixteen (16) teams competing in the Tournament ("Round 2") and the final group of four (4) teams competing in the Tournament ("Round 3") and correctly predict which college basketball team will capture the title of national champion and the order in which each of the teams will advance. At the commencement of each Round, the names of all competing teams and the schedule of games in the Round will be listed on the appropriate page of the Site, including the game for the national championship ("Bonus Game"). Each Player will (i) predict, select, and enter the winning team of each basketball game of the applicable Round as quickly as possible where indicated ("Predicted Team"); (ii) predict the final score of both the winning and losing teams of the Bonus Game, add the two scores together and enter the predicted combined score ("Predicted Score Total") as quickly as possible where indicated; (iii) predict the total number of rebounds scored by both the winning and losing teams of the Bonus Game, add the two scores together and enter the predicted combined number of rebounds ("Predicted Rebound Total") as quickly as possible where indicated; and, (iv) submit the fully completed entry ("entry" or "entries") electronically as quickly as possible, but no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to the final official scheduled "tip-off time," Eastern Time, of the first game in each Round ("Entry Deadline").

 

 

 

Tournament Schedule

     Round

Dates

      Brackets

     1

March 18 - 21, 2010

      64, 32,16, 8, 2 and 2

     2

March 25 - 28, 2010

      16, 8, 4, and 2

     3

April 3 - 5, 2010

      4 and 2

 

For each game in which the Predicted Team reflected on Player's entry is identical to the actual winning team ("Winning Team") and the entry is validly submitted entry prior to the Entry Deadline, Player will receive the following points:

 

Round 1:

1st Bracket - One point per correct selection (64 teams compete to determine 32 winners)

2nd Bracket - Two points per correct selection (32 teams compete to determine 16 winners)

3rd Bracket - Four points per correct selection (16 teams compete to determine 8 winners)

4th Bracket - Six points per correct selection (8 teams compete to determine 4 winners)

5th Bracket - Eight points per correct selection (4 teams compete to determine 2 winners)

6th Bracket - Ten points per correct selection (2 teams compete to determine 1 winner)

 

Round 2:

1st Bracket - Four points per correct selection (16 teams compete to determine 8 winners)

2nd Bracket - Six points per correct selection (8 teams compete to determine 4 winners)

3rd Bracket - Eight points per correct selection (4 teams compete to determine 2 winners)

4th Bracket - Ten points per correct selection (2 teams compete to determine 1 winner)

 

Round 3:

1st Bracket - Eight points per correct selection (4 teams compete to determine 2 winners)

2nd Bracket -Ten points per correct selection (2 teams compete to determine 1 winner)

 

As used herein, the final, official actual combined score for both the Winning and losing teams of the Bonus Game is referred to as the "Actual Score Total" and the final, official actual combined number of rebounds scored by both the Winning and losing teams of the Bonus Game is referred to as the "Actual Rebound Total". Players may submit only one (1) entry during each Round. Additional entries from any individual, using different e-mail addresses or any other system of multiple entries, will be disqualified. Lost, late, illegible, incomplete or misdirected entries are not eligible. All assignments of points are made by Athlon in its sole discretion, independent of any third party advice, recommendation, or influence.

 

Determining Winners: Each 1st through 11th Place Winner of each Round is that Player having earned the highest cumulative descending number of overall points during the Round, as of the end of the last basketball game of each Round. In the event of a tie for any place between Players (i) at the end of a Round, the Winner for that place will be that Player whose Predicted Score for the Bonus Game is closest to the Actual Score of the Bonus Game; (ii) after the Predicted Score tie-breaking procedure (as would be the case with identical entries), the Winner will be that Player whose Predicted Rebound Total for the Bonus Game is closest to the Actual Rebound Total of the Bonus Game; (iii) after the Predicted Rebound Total tie-breaking procedure (as would be the case with identical entries),  the Winner will be that Player whose entry reflects the earliest time and date of e-mail submission, as reflected by the Athlon email database,  thus demonstrating superior knowledge and confidence. Athlon reserves the right to award equal prizes to any tied Players as long as the sum total of all prizes awarded is equal to the approximate retail value ("ARV") of the prize designated for that prize.

 

 

PRIZE SCHEDULE                           

ROUND OF 64 PRIZES                            PRIZE DESCRIPTION                          ARV

1ST PLACE 

LG 50" plasma television

$999.97

2ND - 11TH PLACE

Team hat or t-shirt of winner's choice

$45.00

 

ROUND OF 16 PRIZES                            PRIZE DESCRIPTION                          ARV

1ST PLACE 

LG 32" LCD television

$674.97

2ND - 11TH PLACE

Team hat or t-shirt of winner's choice

$45.00

 

 

 

ROUND OF 4 PRIZES                            PRIZE DESCRIPTION                                ARV

1ST PLACE 

LG 26" LCD television

$349.97

2ND - 11TH PLACE

Team hat or t-shirt of winner's choice

$45.00

 

              5.              ABILITY TO WIN.  The Game is a game of skill. Each Player's ability to win depends solely on (1) his/her knowledge of the game of basketball and basketball history; (2) his/her knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses and both historical and recent performance of competing basketball  players and teams; (3) his/her skill and ability to apply his/her knowledge of the above in accurately identifying  which basketball teams will win when placed in specific competition with other basketball teams during a particular time in the game season; (4) his/her skill in assessing an individual basketball player's effectiveness in a specific game and statistically analyzing and predicting with accuracy the total number of points likely to be earned by basketball players in any given game; (5) his/her skill in assessing an individual basketball team's effectiveness in a specific game and statistically analyze and predict with some accuracy the total number of combined points likely to be earned by all basketball players on a team in a specific game against another team; and, (6) the number of eligible Players competing in the Game.

 

              6.              PRIZE AWARDING.  Upon confirmation of eligibility and execution of requested eligibility and release documents, Winners will be awarded the prizes described in paragraph 4 above. All prizes will be awarded. Prizes may not be combined with any other offer.  Winners will be responsible for any and all federal, state, and local taxes incurred in winning and accepting any prizes and all other expenses incurred in winning and accepting the prizes.  Dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. currency. Gift cards may be subject to reasonable restrictions, the details of which will be found on the card or at such alternative location as Winner is directed. Winners may receive an IRS 1099 form reporting the value of their prize. By accepting a prize, Winners waive the right to assert as a cost of winning their prize, any and all costs of redemption or travel to redeem the prize. It is the responsibility of Winner to make all necessary arrangements to redeem the prize, including any costs of travel, unless otherwise agreed by Athlon to deliver prize to Winner following identification of Winner and confirmation of eligibility. Any stated ARVs of prizes represent Athlon's good-faith determination of the retail value of the prize.  All Winners will be initially identified, subject to eligibility, no later than on or about seven (7) business days following the date of the last game in the Tournament ("Effective Date"), by Athlon or its agent, the judge of the Game, whose decisions are final and binding. Winners will be notified by express mail and/or email, at Athlon's discretion, on or about fourteen (14) business days following the Effective Date ("Notification"). The complete identification of the names of all Winners will be posted on the "STANDINGS" page of the Site and will be available for viewing no later than the Effective Date or by either emailing basketballbracketgame@athlonsports.com or by sending a written request in a stamped, self-addressed envelope for receipt no later than fourteen (14) business days following the Effective Date to:  Athlon Sports Communications, Inc., 220 25th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Winners must provide positive identification in such form as is specified by Athlon to claim a prize. Return of Notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate Winner. Prizes will be awarded only upon Winner validation and verification by Athlon.  All prizes must be redeemed by each Winner no later than thirty (30) days following Athlon's confirmation of Notification. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a Winner, the Winner will be the individual who was, at the time of entry, at Athlon's sole discretion, the documented registered holder of the email account used to enter the Game. It is the sole responsibility of the Player to notify Athlon during the Promotion Period if his/her email address changes. The sale, re-sale, auction, transfer or assignment of any travel, ticket, event, gift card, autographed, branded or promotional merchandise prize or any prize intended to be personal to the recipient or the advertising of same in any way is strictly prohibited and any Player or Winner found to have engaged in such activity will be immediately disqualified and his/her prizes will be forfeited.  In no event will more prizes be awarded than those listed above in paragraph 4. In the event that any prize is unavailable at the time it is scheduled to be awarded, Athlon reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute that prize with either the cash value of the ARV of the applicable prize or a prize or prizes of equal or greater value.  If the initially selected Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim a prize, or if the prize is returned as undeliverable, the prize will be forfeited and an alternate Winner will be selected.  Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for Athlon, Sponsor, and their respective designees to use of Winner's name, likeness, statements, voice, opinions, biographical information and state of residence for promotional purposes in any media without notice, further payment, consideration, credit, or right of approval or review (except where prohibited by law).  Winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and liability release within five (5) days of Athlon's request (except where prohibited by law).

 

              7.              TERMINATION OR DISQUALIFICATION.  To cancel any Player's participation in the Game, Player must send an email to basketballbracketgame@athlonsports.com requesting that his/her registration be terminated ("Notice of Termination"). Player's registration will be deemed terminated as of the date and time of Athlon's receipt of the Notice of Termination as reflected by Athlon's e-mail server ("Termination"). Upon Termination, Player may not participate in the Game and any points accrued by Player will be forfeited. The use of robotic, automatic, macro, programmed or like methods (including without limitation the use of any promotion/game subscription, notification, entry or like sites or service that offers Game entry services "on behalf of" Player) is strictly prohibited.  Neither Athlon nor Sponsor is responsible for lost, interrupted or unavailable network server or other connections, miscommunications, failed telephone or computer or telephone transmissions or technical failure, jumbled, scrambled or misdirected transmissions, other error of any kind whether human, mechanical or electronic problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer systems, servers, access providers, equipment, or software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received for any reason, traffic congestion on the internet or at any website, or any other technical problems related to website entries or any combination of the foregoing, including any injury or damage to a Player's or any other person's computer. Persons found tampering with, hacking, illegally registering for or abusing any aspect of the Game will be immediately disqualified, in Athlon's sole discretion. If disqualified for any of the above abuses, Athlon will immediately terminate that Player's participation in the Game and future contests by Athlon and Player will be ineligible to win or collect any prizes and must return any previously received prizes awarded in connection with the Game upon Athlon's  or Sponsor's request. Players further acknowledge that the forfeiture of prize(s) and/or return of any prize(s) shall in no way prevent Athlon from pursuing any remedies legally available in connection with such conduct. Any violation set out in this paragraph or other attempt to damage any website of Athlon and/or Sponsor, or tamper with or undermine the legitimate operation of the Game, is a violation of these Official Rules, as well as any and all applicable criminal and civil laws.  Athlon reserves the right to seek remedies and damages from any Players or individuals acting in concert with any Player to the fullest extent permitted by law.  In the event any portion of this Game is compromised by any virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes beyond the control of Athlon, which, in the sole opinion of Athlon, corrupts or impairs the administration, security, fairness or proper play of the Game, Athlon reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate the Game and shall thereafter have no responsibility to reinstate the Game or award any prizes. 

 

8.              LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  By registering for and participating in the Game, Players agree: (a) to comply with the Official Rules and the decisions of Athlon and the judges, which shall be binding and final in all respects; (b) to comply with Athlon's privacy policy and terms and conditions; (b) to release Sponsor and Athlon from all liability, loss or damage arising out of any participation in the Game or in connection with the awarding, receipt, possession, use and/or misuse of any prize; (c) to be contacted by Athlon by mail, telephone and/or email; and (d) that he/she acknowledges that neither Athlon nor Sponsor makes any warranty, representation, or guarantee, expressed or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, and disclaim all liability for the provision, quality or nature of any third-party products or services provided to Winners. By registering for and participating in the Game, Players and/or Winners release Athlon and Sponsor, their respective officers, directors, employees, parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, wholesalers, retailers, advertising, promotion, fulfillment, marketing agencies, public relation firms, consultants or contractors from any and all liability, claims or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages or losses to persons (including personal injury, death and/or property damage, as well as any claims based on publicity rights, violations of protected speech rights or invasion of privacy) and property that may be sustained in connection with participation in the Game and the receipt, ownership, possession, acceptance, enjoyment, use or misuse of a prize, or while preparing for, participating in, and/or traveling to any prize-related activity.

 

9.              PLAYER, GAME AND SITE INFORMATION AND CONTENT.  Any information provided to Athlon and Sponsor by a Player, including Players' names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses will be used to administer the Game, communicate with Players in relation to the Game, for purposes of fulfilling any applicable prizes, providing necessary notice, or in connection with other appropriate purposes. Limited to the purposes outlined herein, Athlon will collect, use, and protect personal data in accordance with Sponsor's privacy policy, available for review on the Site. Any personal information provided by a Player for the benefit of other Players, including Player's name, address, telephone numbers and e-mail address will be disclosed at the Player's own risk and neither Athlon nor Sponsor shall have any liability in connection therewith. All data is proprietary to Sponsor and/or Athlon and will not be provided to unrelated third parties or returned to Player. Players are strongly cautioned to exercise judgment and safety in the disclosure of personal information, understanding that no on-line site or activity is completely impervious to outside intervention or activity regardless of the level of security employed by Athlon and that such information may be accessible to third parties. No Player will engage in the posting or blogging of false, harmful, offensive, violent, obscene, hurtful or potentially damaging language of any kind or at any time, understanding that such language may violate public, private, federal, state or local rights or laws governing speech, activity disguised as speech and/or any related public or personal interest, including each Player's right to play the Game without harassment or disregard for the rights and values embodied in the Communications Decency Act and both common law and federally and state-enacted legislation against violations of the Lanham Act, slander, libel, defamation, hate speech, and gross and intentional disregard for the feelings of others or oneself ("Protected Speech Rights"). No Player may attempt to attach any link, ancillary portal or sub-site or upload or otherwise display any content on the Site or within the Game without the express written permission of Athlon and Sponsor, which may be withheld for any reason. Neither Athlon nor Sponsor is affiliated, associated or identified with or endorsed, authorized, or licensed by any of the athletes, teams, coaches, leagues, educational institutions, professional organizations, their related sponsors, endorsers, presenters, award programs, honors or any other entity or individual associated with or connected to the game of college basketball ("Third Party [ies]") and neither are any of the Third Parties in any way a sponsor of or associated with Athlon, Sponsor, the Game or the Site. Any and all of the Third Parties' names, brands, identifying terms, designations, symbols, designs or other exclusive or proprietary content, including any embedded or associated trademarks, service marks, copyrights, designs, design marks, illustrations, trade dress, trade names, likenesses, logos, images or other intellectual property or protected content ("Third Party Materials") found on the Site are the exclusive property of the respective Third Party owners. All uses of Third Party Materials on the Site or in connection with the Game, if any, are solely for the purpose of factually referencing and identifying the person, thing or event being discussed, in context and for acceptable, valid, appropriate, factually descriptive, identifying non-trademark purposes only. Neither Athlon nor Sponsor are owners of or have any interest in the Third Party Materials, including as a licensee. The Site is intended for informational and entertainment use only. Any and all software, platforms, page or menu organization, components, content, play mechanisms, proprietary functionality, graphic or text materials, trademarks, service marks, brands, logos, slogans, names, music, photos, videos, sounds or any other materials in or on the Game or the Site that are not Third Party Materials or owned by Sponsor ("Protected Materials"), including all acquired goodwill and market recognition associated with the Protected Materials are the exclusive, valuable intellectual property of Athlon, subject to copyright, trademark or other statutory protection, and may not be copied, used, distributed, adopted, merged, or appropriated for any purpose without the prior express written permission of Athlon. Any and all graphic or text materials, trademarks, service marks, brands, logos, slogans, names, or any other materials in or on the Game or the Site that are owned by Sponsor ("Sponsor Materials"), including any and all associated goodwill and market recognition, are the exclusive and valuable intellectual property of Sponsor, subject to copyright, trademark and/or other statutory protections, and may not be copied, used, distributed, adopted, merged, or appropriated for any purpose, without the prior express written permission of Sponsor.


              10.              GENERAL INFORMATION. Athlon reserves the right to modify the Official Rules at any time for the purposes of clarifying and effectuating how the Game should be played, how the Game will be scored, how Winners are determined, how tie-breaking procedures are applied, how unanticipated ties are resolved, and what prizes will be awarded.  Any changes to the Official Rules will be reasonably made with the intention of not materially affecting the terms and conditions of the Game or the ability to win prizes. In the event of any (i) inadvertent computer or operator error; (ii) illegal or inappropriate activity or intrusion of or by any Player or unrelated third party; (iii) unanticipated application, failure or effect of Site function, Game mechanisms of play, individual Game or Site components, software or hardware; (iv) change of law, general market conditions or industry custom relevant to identical or similar programs; or (v) force majeure events affecting the commencement, timing, operation or schedule of registration, process of play, entry completion or submission, scheduled deadlines, the accrual or calculation of points or other increments evidencing successful play, the determination, notification, or posting of Winners, the application of tie-breaking or automatic entry procedures, communication with or between Players or Winners, or the valuation, identification, acquisition or awarding of prizes, Athlon reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, delay, revise, add-to, nullify, delete, increase, reduce, lengthen, shorten, divide into parts or partially utilize the previously stated timing, commencement, length or termination of any individual Round (or similar increment of play) or multiple Rounds, the Game as a whole, any entry, play, response or promotion period, deadline or schedule and/or to implement substitute Rounds, additional or different games, races or tournaments within a Round, other entry, response or promotion periods, deadlines or schedules, or portions thereof, solely for purposes of continuing the Game under changed conditions, conducting the Game in a fair and reasonable manner, achieving the goals of the Game despite unanticipated circumstances, preventing harm to Athlon, Sponsor, any Player or third party, and/or determining Winners on a fair and equal basis and without unfairly disqualifying otherwise eligible Players from winning prizes. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Any and all disputes in connection with the Game will be resolved exclusively in the appropriate courts in Nashville, Tennessee.  Should there be a conflict between the laws of the State of Tennessee and any other laws, the conflict will be resolved in favor of the laws of the State of Tennessee.  Each Player waives any and all objections to jurisdiction and venue and hereby submits to the jurisdiction of those courts. Any and all lawsuits or other disputes that arise relating to the Game must be filed within one (1) year of the last day of the Promotion Period. The failure of Athlon to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.  If any part of the Official Rules is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, that part will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law and the remainder of the Official Rules will remain fully in force.

 

Sponsored by hhgregg inc.

 

Produced and Administered by Athlon Sports Communications, Inc., 220 25th Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. © 2010 Athlon Sports Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.