We are a private law firm. We are not the United States Center for SafeSport.
In today’s sports landscape, a single complaint can trigger a SafeSport investigation—and with it, the potential for career-shattering consequences. From minor warnings to permanent bans, the outcomes can be swift and severe, often unfolding in ways athletes and sports professionals never anticipated.
When your integrity, livelihood, and future in the sport you love are on the line, navigating the SafeSport process without skilled legal guidance is a risk you can’t afford. At Global Sports Advocates, we know that SafeSport violation allegations don't just test your conduct—they test your composure, your credibility, and your readiness to protect what matters most.
Whether you're a coach, athlete, or administrator, this guide will walk you through the moments where legal representation becomes essential—and how to safeguard your rights, your reputation, and your career every step of the way.
Your Rights During SafeSport Investigation Interviews
While SafeSport investigations are administrative proceedings rather than criminal cases, you still have important rights that deserve protection.
- Right to legal representation. Unlike some administrative proceedings, federal law explicitly allows respondents to have an attorney present during interviews. This right recognizes the serious consequences that can result from investigation findings.
- Right to be heard. Federal law requires that SafeSport give you an opportunity to be heard during the investigation.
- Right to decline to participate. SafeSport cannot compel you to participate in an interview. However, choosing not to participate can have consequences for your case. If you refuse to be interviewed, SafeSport will make its determination based on the available evidence, which may not include your perspective on the events in question.
- Right to notice of the specific allegations. SafeSport should provide you with enough information about the complaint to allow you to respond meaningfully to the allegations. If the allegations are vague or do not clearly explain how you violated the SafeSport Code, your attorney can request additional information to ensure you can adequately defend yourself.
- Right to confidentiality. Information gathered during the investigation should only be shared with individuals who have a legitimate need to know. This helps protect your reputation while the investigation is pending, even though complete confidentiality cannot always be guaranteed.
When Legal Representation Becomes Essential
Certain circumstances make legal representation not just advisable but essential for protecting your interests during a SafeSport investigation. Recognizing these situations early can help you avoid costly mistakes that could jeopardize your career and reputation.
- Serious misconduct allegations. Legal representation becomes essential when the allegations involve misconduct that could result in significant sanctions. Sexual misconduct allegations, in particular, carry the potential for lifetime bans and public disclosure of sanctions.
- Cases involving minors or vulnerable athletes. If you work with minors or vulnerable athletes, legal representation is particularly important regardless of the specific allegations. SafeSport takes allegations involving protected populations very seriously, and the potential consequences for violations involving minors are often more severe than those involving adult athletes. This includes SafeSport violations for a coach's failure to report.
- Multiple claimants. When multiple claimants are involved, such as in cases involving the hazing of multiple team members, the stakes of the investigation increase significantly. Multiple allegations can create a pattern that SafeSport may view as evidence of ongoing misconduct. An experienced attorney can help you address each allegation individually while developing a coherent defense strategy that addresses the overall pattern of accusations.
- Communication concerns. High-stress situations can impair judgment and communication skills, leading to statements that may be misinterpreted or taken out of context. Having an attorney present provides an additional layer of protection against these risks.
- Previous disciplinary history. Previous disciplinary actions or complaints can also make legal representation essential. Even if previous matters were resolved favorably, they may be relevant to the current investigation and could influence SafeSport's determination. An attorney can help you address these historical issues appropriately.
- Complex factual or legal issues. Some cases involve detailed analysis of policies, procedures, or professional standards. Your attorney can help you present technical arguments and evidence that support your position.
- When arbitration is necessary. If you need to challenge temporary measures or the Center’s decision at arbitration, hiring experienced counsel to challenge SafeSport’s decisions is critical.
How Our SafeSport Attorneys Protect Your Interests
At Global Sports Advocates, our attorneys understand both sports governance and investigation procedures. This allows them to provide targeted representation that addresses the unique challenges of these cases.
- Thorough case review and strategy development. Our review helps identify potential defenses, areas where additional evidence may be needed, and strategies for presenting your case most effectively. We will also assess the strength of the allegations and provide realistic expectations about potential outcomes.
- Interview preparation. We will help you understand the types of questions you may face, practice responses to difficult inquiries, and develop strategies for presenting information in a clear and compelling manner. This can significantly improve your confidence and effectiveness during the actual interview.
- Advocacy during interviews. During the interview itself, we serve as your advocate and protector. Our attorneys can support you during the interview, request clarification of confusing inquiries, and ensure that your statements are accurately recorded.
- Evidence gathering and presentation. We will help you gather and present evidence that supports your position. This may include finding witnesses and documents that support your case, character references, documentation of your professional qualifications and training, evidence of your commitment to athlete safety, and other materials that demonstrate your integrity and professionalism.
- Appeal strategy and representation. If the investigation results in sanctions, we can help you understand your appeal rights and develop a strategy for challenging the determination.
