1. What does “non-professional” athlete mean?

A. CPAR considers a non-professional athlete to be an athlete who (1) either does not receive compensation for participating in athletic activities, or (2) those athletes whose compensation is not substantial enough to support them and their dependents (if any) within CPAR established income guidelines. CPAR will consider the athlete’s household income from all sources (i.e. spouse, domestic partner, and/or parents/guardian). CPAR family income guidelines are based, in part, upon US government published “Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia”. CPAR does not publish its income guidelines.

NOTE:  Slightly different income guidelines apply to coaches, administrators, and others involved in non-professional and professional athletic and sports activities to determine eligibility to receive CPAR’s services.

2.  What is meant by coaches, administrators, and others involved in non-professional and professional athletic and sports activities?

These are generally the “support personnel” or team around athletes or who work with athletes.  Legal issues can arise with athlete support personnel or the athlete’s support team that negatively impact her or his ability to effectively participate in athletic activities.  CPAR carefully evaluates the income eligibility and issues requiring assistance of an athlete’s support personnel or the athlete’s support team to ensure that these match with the organization’s charitable purposes, objectives and mission.

3.  Is CPAR a nonprofit organization?

Yes, CPAR was incorporated in New York State in May 1994 as a not-for-profit corporation, and applied for and received exemption from taxation from the Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

4. Does CPAR provide Legal representation?

No, CPAR as an organization does not itself provide legal representation to non-professional and professional athletes, coaches, administrators, and others involved in sports activities who are income eligible.  CPAR matches eligible athletes, coaches, administrators, and others involved in sports activities with screened and qualified attorneys.  CPAR also partners with law schools who may provide law student interns to assist attorneys with legal matters.  CPAR also provides educational and professional resources to assist attorneys providing representation to eligible athletes, coaches, administrators, and others involved in sports activities

5. I am not an attorney but I want to help CPAR, is there a role for me?

Yes, you may be able to assist CPAR in a number of ways. Click on “Volunteer” on the top of the CPAR website and then scroll down and complete the form under the heading “Other”.

6.  I am an attorney and I am interested in helping CPAR, but I have never practiced sports law. Can I still volunteer to help athletes?

If you meet the requirements established for legal competency in a particular area of the law, it is possible that you may be qualified to assist an athlete with a sports-related matter. CPAR may partner you with another attorney with expertise or provide you with non-lawyer assistance from experts in a relevant field of athletic expertise. There are also non-legal volunteer opportunities with CPAR. Click on “Volunteer” on the top of the CPAR website and then scroll down and complete the form under the heading “Attorneys” or “Others”.

7. I’m a 35 year old athlete who plays in an adult amateur sports league; can CPAR help me with a legal issue?

If you meet CPAR’s income eligibility requirements (based upon your household income from all sources), CPAR will seek to assist you with a sport-related legal matter.

8.  If CPAR is a nonprofit, why does it charge an application fee for legal assistance?

As a charitable nonprofit/not-for-profit organization, CPAR charges minimal fees to cover the costs of operating the organization and providing the services it offers. Nonprofit organizations are entitled by law to earn money, but they must use the money they earn to support their charitable mission. All the money that CPAR receives is used to pay its operational costs. Currently, CPAR has no paid employees or staff.

9. I’m a college athlete, but I’m contemplating giving up my amateur eligibility and becoming a professional athlete, do I qualify for assistance from CPAR?

If your situation complies with CPAR’s definition of a non-professional athlete and you meet CPAR’s established household income guidelines, you will be able to receive assistance from CPAR in securing pro bone or low cost  sports-related legal representation. If you are claimed as a dependent on your parent(s) or legal guardian’s last income tax filing, the basis for income qualification will be the household income of your parent(s) and/or guardian as well as any income that you are currently receiving.

10. I’m an attorney who is licensed in states other than the ones that CPAR appears to have offices. Can I still volunteer to help athletes?

Yes, you can be an attorney volunteer regardless of the state in which you are licensed, depending upon the nature of the legal issue an athlete or other person is seeking to resolve.  CPAR will refer legal matters to qualified attorneys for pro bono or low fee representation in any of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.  CPAR does not currently operate outside the USA.