Sweepstakes Terms and Conditions

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

Sweepstakes Rules.  Any individual who enters, attempts to enter or in any way participates in any contest, sweepstakes or giveaway (a “Sweepstakes”) accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these General Rules (the “General Rules”) and the decisions of VC Connect, LLC (“Sponsor”).  Each Sweepstakes offered by Sponsor have specific terms developed for them (the “Specific Sweepstakes Terms”) and a designated Sweepstakes period (each a “Sweepstakes Period”).  In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between these General Rules and the Specific Sweepstakes Terms, the Specific Sweepstakes Terms shall control.  A copy of all rules for Sweepstakes are included below and available on Sponsor’s website at https://www.badgerconnect.com (the “Website”).

Badger Connect.  Badger Connect is a membership organization of fans, alumni and supporters of the University of Wisconsin and its athletes.  Go to https://www.badgerconnect.com for more information about Badger Connect and how to participate.

Eligibility.  The Sweepstakes is open only to persons who are (i) members of Badger Connect and other individuals who are 18 years of age or older (or age of majority in their state) as of the date of entry, (ii) legal residents of, and physically located within the 50 United States and the District of Columbia (the “Territory”), and (iii) not owners, directors, managers, officers or employees of Sponsor and its respective parent, subsidiaries and affiliated companies and the advertising, promotional or fulfillment agencies, webmasters or suppliers or any company who is a promotional participant, providing Prizes in connection with a Sweepstakes or performing services at the request of Sponsor, nor members of their respective immediate families (spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings and children) or persons living in the same households (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”). 

Frequency Limits.  Sponsor may set limitations in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms on how frequently an individual can enter a specific Sweepstakes or be eligible to win a prize within a specific time period or Sweepstakes.  Only one winner per the same household is permitted in any Sweepstakes.  “Household” means individuals who share the same residence. 

Void Where Prohibited by Law.  Any Sweepstakes is void where prohibited or restricted by law. 

Entry Process.

The entry process and the time period to enter will be as described in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms.  Participation in the Sweepstakes may be achieved through multiple entry methods.  All entries must be received by Sponsor by the end of the applicable Sweepstakes Period.  All required information must be completed to enter and to be eligible to win.  Incomplete entries will be disqualified.  If a dispute cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the entry will be deemed ineligible.  Use of any automated system to participate in a Sweepstakes is prohibited.  Entries will not be acknowledged or returned and become the property of Sponsor.  Sponsor shall have the right to use, assign, edit, modify or dispose of any entry and its content however it sees fit without approval of the entrant.  The Promotion Entities are not responsible and shall have no liability for (i) entries from persons residing or located outside the Territory, or (ii) inaccurate, forged, incomplete, stolen, lost, illegible, damaged, mutilated, tampered with, postage-due, misdirected, delayed or late entries, whether caused by Internet users or by any equipment or programming associated with the Sweepstakes or by any technical or human error which may occur in the delivery or processing of entries in the Sweepstakes.  By entering the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees to receive mail, email, text communications from Sponsor.  Entrants can opt out of such communications at any time. 

Depending upon the Specific Sweepstakes Terms, entry can be made as follows:

(i) Badger Connect Member Entry.  During a Sweepstakes Period, Badger Connect members automatically will be granted one or more entries, depending on their level of membership, up to a disclosed maximum number of entries depending on the Specific Sweepstakes Terms. 

(ii) Referral Entries.  If a Badger Connect member refers an individual to become a member and that individual joins Badger Connect during the Sweepstakes Period, the referring member will automatically receive one or more entries, depending on the Specific Sweepstakes Terms. 

(iii) Mail-In Entry:  To enter by mail during a Sweepstakes Period, each entrant must complete an entry form by providing the entrant’s full legal name, street address, city, state and zip code (no P.O. Boxes), email address and home or cell phone number and referencing the specific Sweepstakes (“Entry Information”), and sending the information with first-class postage affixed addressed to the address on the Specific Sweepstakes Terms.  Mail-in entries must be post-marked no later than the date of the end of the Sweepstakes Period and received by Sponsor within three business days after the end of the Sweepstakes Period.  Entrants may submit as many entries in the mail-in entry envelope as desired subject to the total entry limit per mail-in entry, as disclosed in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms.  Entrants must provide all required information or the entry will be deemed incomplete and will not qualify. 

Entry into one Sweepstakes is not entry into any other Sweepstakes.  All entrants are limited to the maximum entries per person listed in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms.

Disqualification of Entrant.  Should Sponsor, determine, in its sole discretion, that any entrant has violated any of the provisions in these General Rules, Sponsor shall have no obligation to award a Prize to such entrant.  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant it finds to be (i) tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes; (ii) attempting to damage the Website or undermining the legitimate operation of the Website; (iii) acting in violation of these General Rules, any Specific Sweepstakes Terms or any federal or state, law, rule or regulation; or (iv) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.  Should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right, in addition to the right to the right to disqualify such entrant, to seek damages and other remedies from any such entrant to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Selection of Winners. 

Winners will be selected per the criteria set forth in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms for that Sweepstakes.  The selection of the winner will be selected by random drawing and will be held at Sponsor’s business headquarters on or about the date specified in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms from all eligible submitted entries received during the Sweepstakes Period.  The odds of winning will depend upon the number of eligible entries received. 

Prizes.  Please see the applicable Specific Sweepstakes Terms for the number of Prizes available, a description of the Prizes, the approximate retail value of each Prize, and the redemption method for the Prizes for each Sweepstakes.  All expenses incurred in connection with the entry or the award or use of a Prize not expressly specified in these General Rules or any Specific Sweepstakes Terms, including, but not limited to, taxes, food, beverages, and other concession items, spending money, gratuities, parking fees and other incidentals, are the sole responsibility of the winner.  Each potential Prize winner will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability Release and Publicity Release (the “Prize Claim Documents”), where legal.  All details and other restrictions of Prizes not specified in these General Rules will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.  Prizes are not redeemable for cash or transferable.  No Prize substitutions are allowed except, at Sponsor’s sole discretion, a Prize of equal or greater value may be substituted.  No more than the advertised number of Prizes will be awarded.

For Tickets:  If tickets to an event are awarded as a Prize, they must be used at the event and on the dates specified on the ticket.  Sponsor is not responsible for the inability of the winner to use the Prize or for any delay, cancellation or rescheduling of the event for any reason and has no obligation to reimburse, refund or otherwise substitute the tickets for another Prize.  Lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced.

Travel Prizes:  Depending on the Specific Sweepstakes Terms, if a trip is all or part of a Prize, it may include round-trip coach airfare for the winner and/or a guest at the time and date designated by Sponsor to and from closest commercial airport near the winner’s residence, hotel accommodations for one standard double occupancy room for a specified number of days and nights, meals and ground transportation.  If, in the judgment of Sponsor, air travel is not required due to winner’s proximity to the trip destination, ground transportation will be substituted for roundtrip air travel, at Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion, and the difference in value will not be awarded to the Prize winner.  The actual value of the trip may vary based on point of departure and destination and seasonal airfare and hotel rate fluctuations.  Any difference between stated approximate retail value and actual value of Prize will not be awarded.  The winner and, if applicable, a travel companion must travel together on the same itinerary.  Selection of airline and hotel are solely within Sponsor’s discretion.  Gratuities, luggage fees, incidental hotel charges and any other travel-related expenses not specified in these General Rules or any Specific Sweepstakes Terms are the sole responsibility of the winner.  Accommodations are subject to capacity controls, availability, blackout dates and other travel restrictions.  Travel for the trip awarded must take place on and/or within the designated dates.  Alternative travel dates will not be provided.  If the winner is unavailable for travel on the designated dates, the specified Prize may be forfeited and may be awarded to an alternate winner, at the sole discretion of Sponsor.  Operational and/or market conditions may prevent travel suppliers from making reservations on a requested date.  Airline carrier and hotel regulations and conditions apply.  Airline tickets are non-refundable/non-transferable and are not valid for upgrades and/or frequent flyer miles.  All airline tickets are subject to flight variation, work stoppages and schedule or route changes.  Sponsor shall not be responsible for any cancellations, flight delays, diversions or substitutions or any act or omissions whatsoever by the air carriers, hotels, venue operators, transportation companies, Prize providers or any other persons providing any Prize-related services or accommodations.  Any changes to completed travel arrangements, once booked, are the sole responsibility of the winner, and are solely at the winner’s expense.  The winner and travel companion are responsible for obtaining travel insurance (and all other forms of insurance) at their option and hereby acknowledge that Sponsor has not and will not obtain or provide travel insurance or any other form of insurance.  Lost, stolen or damaged airline tickets, travel vouchers or certificates will not be replaced or exchanged.  If, for any reason, any part of the trip package is canceled or shall become unavailable, postponed or canceled, Sponsor shall have no further responsibility for that portion of the Prize, and the Prize will be awarded without the inclusion of the item on the same itinerary.  Stopovers are not permitted on the flight voucher issued and, if a stopover occurs, the Prize will terminate at the stopover point and full fare, will be charged for the remaining segments of the flight.  Sponsor is not responsible for late, lost, damaged or stolen luggage.  If the trip requires traveling outside the United States, the winner must have a valid U.S. passport.  If a winner does not have or is unable to obtain a passport within any time constraints related to the Prize, the winner may be disqualified and an alternate winner will be selected, in Sponsor’s sole discretion.  

Notification of Winner(s).  Sponsor will notify potential winners as set forth in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms.  Generally winners will be notified either by email or text, or by telephone.  Sponsor is not responsible and shall have no liability for any winner notification that is lost, intercepted or not received by the potential winner for any reason or any inability of the winner to accept or use any Prize for any reason including, without limitation, the inability of a winner to travel at the dates and times designated by Sponsor.  Sponsor may require proof of age, photo identification (valid driver’s license or passport) and a valid taxpayer identification or social security number from a potential winner to claim the Prize.  A potential winner may be required to provide Sponsor with proof that he or she is the authorized account holder of the e-mail address associated with a winning entry.  Disqualification and the selection of an alternate winner may result from any of the following: (i) failure of a potential winner to execute and return the Prize Claim Documents within seven days from the date of notification; (ii) the return of any notification of a Prize as undeliverable; (iii) the potential winner’s failure to claim the Prize within the required claim period; or (iv) any other non-compliance with these General Rules.  Unless otherwise stated in the Specific Sweepstakes Terms, a winner will have seven days to claim and accept a Prize.  Any portion of a Prize not accepted or claimed by a winner will be forfeited.  The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to award unclaimed Prizes to alternate entrants or not to award the unclaimed Prizes. 

Announcements.  Sponsor or any Promotion Entity reserves the right to make public announcements of the winners on Sponsor’s Website or in any manner (including, without limitation, social media (e.g., Facebook®, Instagram®, Twitter®, You Tube®)), which it deems appropriate.

Social Media.  The entry process for some Sweepstakes may require entrants to login to, or to create a free account with a third-party social media network, including, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, LinkedIn, and/or any other third-party social media network now known or hereafter devised (“Social Media Network(s)”).  Each entrant agrees to abide by any and all, if any, requirements imposed by any Social Media Network used to promote or enter into a Sweepstakes.  Such Social Media Network site operators are not sponsors, endorsers and/or administrators of any Sweepstakes, and are not affiliated with Sponsor or any Station in any way.  Sponsor cannot control certain factors relating to such Social Media Networks, including, without limitation, errors, cancellation or user accounts, and/or technical malfunctions that may affect any entrant’s ability to enter, win, view, be advised of, be eligible for or be properly considered in a particular Sweepstakes.  Sponsor reserves the right, at any time and for any reason or for no reason, to disassociate any person from its Social Media Network page/following by any means then technically available to it (e.g., “blocking” a “fan” from liking Sponsor’s Facebook page, etc.). 

Taxes.  All income, sales, use, withholding and other taxes (and the reporting thereof) imposed as a result of the award of a Prize and any other fees or costs associated with acceptance and use of a Prize are solely the winner’s responsibility.  It is the winner’s responsibility to understand and abide by any federal, state, local or foreign tax laws that may apply to receipt of a Prize.  Winners may be required to complete certain Internal Revenue Service tax information reporting forms before or upon receipt of a Prize.

Compliance with Requirements of Sponsor and Third Parties.  Winner(s) and any guest(s), if applicable, must comply with any and all COVID-19 vaccination, screening, testing, safety and related requirements imposed or required (if applicable) by Sponsor, the venue event promoter, Promotion Entities, travel providers, hotels, governmental authorities or others in connection with the receipt, use, and redemption of the Prize.  Refusal to comply with all applicable COVID-19 requirements will result in forfeiture of the Prize and no replacement or alternate Prize will be provided.  All cancellations of any event related to a Prize are deemed beyond the control of Sponsor and its Promotion Entities, but is not limited to, event cancellations due to any pandemic or epidemic constituting a public health emergency, including those subject to government mandated quarantines, travel restrictions, or stay-at-home orders.  Sponsor and/or its Promotion Entities shall in no way be responsible under any circumstances whatsoever for replacing, and/or for reimbursing any winner with any form of compensation for any Prize or portion thereof forfeited due to the refusal or failure of the winner and/or their guest to comply with all applicable COVID-19 requirements and/or the cancellation of any event, nor will any alternate Prize be provided.

Conditions.  Each entrant, by entering the Sweepstakes, agrees that: (i) he or she will abide by and be bound by these General Rules, which are final and binding in all respects; (ii) the Promotion Entities have not made any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, with respect to any Prize and specifically disclaim all such warranties, including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose; and (iii) the Prizes are awarded “AS IS” and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

Use of Information.  By entering the Sweepstakes, each entrant consents to and gives Sponsor and its affiliates and any other party authorized by Sponsor, the unrestricted, absolute, perpetual, worldwide right and license, but not the obligation, (i) to use entrant’s name, address, photograph, likeness, voice, biographical and personal background information and statements, entry and related Content and any notes, photograph, film or video or audio tape that may be taken of the entrant or of such materials (the foregoing, collectively, the “Likeness”), without further compensation, consideration, review, approval or notice to the entrant or to any third party, and (ii) to reproduce, copy, modify, create derivative works of, display, perform, exhibit, distribute, transmit or broadcast, publicly or otherwise, or otherwise use and permit to be used the Likeness or any part thereof, whether alone or in combination with other materials (including, but not limited to, text, data, images, photographs, illustrations and graphics and video or audio segments of any nature), in any media or embodiment now known or hereafter developed (including, but not limited to, any format of any computer-based, internet-based, electronic, magnetic, digital, laser or optical-based media), in connection with any of Sponsor’s (or its designee’s) advertising, publicity, trade, sweepstakes, giveaway or contests activities or materials (the “Promotion Materials”) for an unlimited number of times, except where prohibited by law.  Each entrant waives any right to inspect or approve any Promotion Materials including or accompanying the Likeness.  Each entrant further releases Sponsor from any liability or obligation that may arise as a result of the use of the Likeness, including, without limitation, claims for invasion of privacy, infringement of his or her right of publicity, and defamation (including libel and slander).  Each entrant understands that the entire compensation for use of the Likeness is entry in the Sweepstakes, and each entrant waives any right to residual income, royalties and any other income payment or any other benefit, which might otherwise accrue from the use of the Likeness.

Right to Cancel.  Sponsor reserves the right to cancel or modify the Sweepstakes (i) in the event the Sweepstakes is challenged by any legal or regulatory authority, (ii) if fraud, technical failure or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, or (iii) if the Sweepstakes is not capable of completion as planned for any reason, including because of infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures of any sort or any other causes beyond Sponsor’s control, which in the sole opinion of Sponsor, corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes.  In the event of such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension, a notice thereof will be posted at the Website, and the winners will be determined solely by Sponsor in a random drawing among all eligible, non-suspect or non-disqualified entries received prior to the termination or cancellation.  In such event, the Promotion Entities shall have no liability to any entrant who is disqualified due to such action. 

Limitations.  Sponsor and the Promotion Entities expressly disclaim any liability from the use of entry information by Sponsor, the Promotion Entities or third parties.  Neither Sponsor nor the Promotion Entities are responsible for (i) interrupted, inaccessible or unavailable networks, servers, satellites, Internet service providers, web sites, cellular towers or equipment, computer systems or equipment or other connections, availability or accessibility problems; (ii) failed, jumbled, delayed or misdirected computer, telephone or cable transmissions; (iii) any technical malfunctions, failures or difficulties, printing errors, clerical, typographical or other errors in the offering or announcement of any Prize or in any Prize notification documents; (iv) the incorrect or inaccurate capture of information, or the failure to capture any information; (v) viruses or bugs; or (vi) problems or malfunctions of any computer system, equipment or software, the failure of e-mail on account of technical problems, or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, including, injury or damage to an entrant’s or to any other person’s computer system or cellular phone related to or resulting from accessing the Website, downloading any materials or information necessary to participate in the Sweepstakes or participating in the Sweepstakes or accepting a Prize.

Amendment.  Sponsor reserves the right to modify the General Rules. 

Privacy.  Entry information may be shared with Sponsor’s Promotion Entities.  Except as expressly provided in these General Rules, any information collected from the Sweepstakes shall be used in accordance with Sponsor’s Privacy Policy, located at http://www.badgerconnect.com/privacy-policy/. By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees that Sponsor may collect and use an entrant’s personal information submitted with the entry, and acknowledges that the entrant has read and accepted Sponsor’s Privacy Policy which provides, without limitation, certain information about how Sponsor collects, uses and shares personal information and the rights an entrant may have regarding an entrant’s personal information.

Indemnity/Release.  Each entrant indemnifies and holds harmless Sponsor and the Promotion Entities and their owners, directors, managers, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability for any damage, liability or loss of any kind or nature to persons, including death or property, resulting in whole or in part, or arising from, directly or indirectly, or in connection with the Sweepstakes or the award, acceptance, use, misuse, failure or inability to use, possession or loss of any Prizes or any Prize-related activity.  Each entrant releases Sponsor, the Promotion Entities and their owners, directors, managers, officers, employees and agents from any and all liability, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, for any loss, harm, damages, costs or expenses of any nature, including, without limitation, personal property and personal injury damages arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes, Prize acceptance, use, misuse, failure or inability to use, loss or possession of any Prize, participation in any Prize-related activity and for all claims based on rights of publicity, personality, privacy or loss of enjoyment, moral rights, slander, libel or defamation, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights or Prize delivery.  Under no circumstances will an entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and each entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, any punitive, indirect, incidental, consequential, exemplary, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses.  Any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, and in no event will any entrant be entitled to receive attorneys’ fees or court costs.  All causes of action arising out of or connected with these Sweepstakes or the Prizes shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action.  Failure to enforce any terms of these General Rules shall not constitute a waiver of any provision.

Force Majeure.  Neither Sponsor nor the Promotion Entities are responsible or liable to any entrant or winner or any person claiming through such entrant or winner for the inability to enter or participate in the Sweepstakes, or for failure to supply or the inability to accept or use  the Prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action, regulations, order or request proves to be invalid), equipment failure, threatened terrorist acts, terrorist acts, air raid, blackout, act of public enemy, earthquake, volcanic eruption, war (declared or undeclared), fire, flood, epidemic, pandemic, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal) labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other cause beyond Sponsor’s or the Promotion Entities’ control.

Severability.  If any provisions of these General Rules are determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of these General Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

Governing Law/Jurisdiction.  ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THESE GENERAL RULES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ENTRANTS OR SPONSOR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SWEEPSTAKES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OF CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER STATE’S LAWS.  VENUE FOR ANY ACTION SHALL BE BROUGHT IN THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS LOCATED IN MADISON, WISCONSIN.

Winner’s List.  Any legally-required winners list may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to VC Connect, LLC, dba Badger Connect, 150 E. Gilman Street, Suite 5000, Madison, WI 53703 c/o Foley & Lardner LLP, and referring to the specific Sweepstakes.  For a copy of the General Rules (and any Specific Sweepstakes Terms), (i) print the web page, or (ii) send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to VC Connect, LLC, dba Badger Connect, 150 E. Gilman Street, Suite 5000, Madison, WI 53703 c/o Foley & Lardner LLP, and refer to the specific Sweepstakes. 

Sponsor.  VC Connect, LLC, dba Badger Connect.

TM & © 2025, VC Connect, LLC, dba Badger Connect.  All Rights Reserved.