2002 USBL Season Mid Season Report Attendance At All-Time High.

Business Editors

MILFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2002

The United States Basketball League, Inc. (USBL), has reached the midway point of its 17th season.

The USBL has reached All-Time highs in average attendance, 1613 fans per game, and overall attendance (156,487) through this point. Fans have been coming out in record numbers to see the exciting USBL action take place in each city. The Dodge City Legend had a standing room only crowd of 2,683 in a building that only holds 2,400 fans for the coaching debut of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Oklahoma Storm has been the host to over 5,500 fans on three occasions, setting a USBL record for most games with an attendance of over 5,000. The 2001 USBL Champion Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs hold the mid-season lead in USBL attendance list with 23,215 fans watching the ValleyDawgs defend their championship, an average of 2,580 fans per game.

The 17th season of USBL basketball action has been fierce and competitive since the opening tap on April 19th. The Kansas Cagerz currently sit atop of the Mid West Division with a 14-6 record, the best in the USBL. The Eastern Division of the USBL has been a two team race for most of the season but a new name is making its presence known. The Brevard Blue Ducks have jumped out to a 14-3 record this season, the best in the Eastern Division. The Expansion Adirondack Wildcats have been on the national scene with the signing of NFL All-Pro Wide Receiver Terrell Owens. Owens signing has brought out the national media (ESPN, CNNSI, and FOX Sports) and made the Wildcats and the USBL more visible with his signing and subsequent play. Tonight in Brooklyn, for the second time ever in professional basketball history, a father will coach against his son when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will coach against his son Kareem Jr.

"The 17th season has been very exciting. We have been featured in national publications and television with the signing of Terrell Owens. We also have 8 former NBA players who are currently coaching teams this season. To have NBA Legends like Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Darryl Dawkins coaching for teams in the USBL continues to show why the USBL is the 'League of Opportunity' for players and coaches alike. Attendance is at an All-Time high and we are looking to continue this momentum into the Post-Season Festival. Due to the influx of fan support a large number of applications for expansion in 2003 are being received by the League office and an announcement can be expected concerning that in the late summer. The second half of the USBL season will be just as action packed as the first half as the teams all look to qualify for the Post-Season Festival. I hope that everyone is as excited about the season as I am and continues to come out and enjoy all the USBL has to offer," states USBL Founder and Commissioner Daniel T. Meisenheimer III.