Gridiron Tree/Terms of Use

Terms of Use

Last updated: May 30, 2026  ·  Gridiron Tree  ·  Highlands Ranch, Colorado

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of gridirontree.com and any associated subdomains (collectively, the “Site”), operated by Gridiron Tree (“Gridiron Tree,” “we,” “us,” “our”). By accessing or using the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Site.

1. Acceptance

By accessing the Site, you represent that you are at least 13 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement. Use of the Site by anyone under 13 is prohibited.

2. Permitted Use

You may access and view the Site for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may share links to the Site, screenshot coaching trees for personal or social use, and reference our editorial content with attribution.

You may not:

Licensing inquiries: ryan@gridirontree.com.

3. Intellectual Property

All content on the Site — including but not limited to text, visualizations, coaching tree data, the Hot Seat Index methodology, logos, and the Gridiron Tree name and mark — is the property of Gridiron Tree or its licensors and is protected by U.S. and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Nothing in these Terms grants you any ownership interest in Site content. Limited fair use for commentary, criticism, or education is permitted consistent with applicable law.

4. Editorial Disclaimer — Hot Seat Index and Rankings

The Hot Seat Index, coaching tree power rankings, and all other editorial content on the Site represent the opinions of Gridiron Tree based on publicly available information. They are not predictions, statements of fact about any individual's future employment status, or professional advice of any kind (including financial, legal, or employment advice).

A score of 91 does not mean a coach will be fired. A score of 40 does not mean a coach is secure. These are editorial judgments, not forecasts.

Historical coaching connection data (who coached where, when, under whom) is sourced from publicly available records and is presented as factual information. We strive for accuracy and publish corrections. If you believe any factual data point is incorrect, contact ryan@gridirontree.com.

5. User Submissions

If you submit a tip, correction, or any other communication through the Site, you grant Gridiron Tree a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, publish, and incorporate that information into the Site and newsletter. You represent that your submission is accurate to the best of your knowledge and does not violate any third party's rights. We are not obligated to act on or publish any submission.

6. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE,” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ACCURACY, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. GRIDIRON TREE DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.

7. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, GRIDIRON TREE, ITS OWNERS, AGENTS, AND LICENSORS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES — INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA, OR REPUTATIONAL HARM — ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE OR ITS CONTENT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

IN NO EVENT SHALL GRIDIRON TREE'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR YOUR USE OF THE SITE EXCEED ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100). IF YOUR JURISDICTION DOES NOT ALLOW EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, SOME OF THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

8. Third-Party Links and Affiliate Disclosure

The Site may contain links to third-party websites. Gridiron Tree does not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for the content or practices of any third-party site. Accessing third-party sites is at your own risk.

Some links on the Site may be affiliate links, including links to sportsbooks, sports retailers, ticket marketplaces, or other commercial partners. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase or open an account, Gridiron Tree may receive a referral fee or revenue share at no additional cost to you. The presence of an affiliate relationship does not influence our editorial coverage, including the Hot Seat Index or coaching tree analysis. Where required by law (including 16 C.F.R. §255), affiliate links are marked or otherwise clearly disclosed. Gridiron Tree is not affiliated with any sportsbook, athletic department, conference, or league.

Sports wagering disclaimer. Gridiron Tree does not publish picks, predictions, or wagering recommendations, and nothing on the Site is intended as gambling advice. If a link directs you to a sportsbook, you are solely responsible for complying with the laws of your jurisdiction and for any consequences of wagering. Wagering involves risk; if gambling is a problem for you, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

9. Copyright / DMCA

Gridiron Tree respects intellectual property rights and expects users to do the same. If you believe any content on the Site infringes your copyright, send a written notice to our designated agent that includes:

  1. Identification of the copyrighted work you claim has been infringed.
  2. Identification of the material on the Site you claim is infringing, with enough detail to locate it.
  3. Your contact information (name, address, phone, email).
  4. A statement that you have a good faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
  5. A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or authorized to act on the owner's behalf.
  6. Your physical or electronic signature.

DMCA Agent: ryan@gridirontree.com  ·  Gridiron Tree  ·  Highlands Ranch, Colorado

10. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of or related to these Terms or your use of the Site shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Douglas County or Denver, Colorado, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.

Before initiating any legal proceeding, you agree to contact us at ryan@gridirontree.com and allow 30 days for good-faith resolution.

11. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be reflected in a new “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Gridiron Tree regarding your use of the Site and supersede all prior agreements, representations, or understandings.

Questions about these Terms?
ryan@gridirontree.com
Gridiron Tree  ·  Highlands Ranch, Colorado