THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994 TAG: 9406150625
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940615 LENGTH: Medium
But for area basketball fans, the bottom line on the United States Basketball League, which comes to town Saturday night, is that it's available. The USBL is looking to expand, and it's looking seriously at Hampton Roads.
{REST} ``There's a very strong possibility of having a team here,'' says Steve Harwood, a Virginia Beach lawyer and sports agent who is attempting to bring a team to the area. ``It's whether the local business interests want to do it.''
Harwood is hoping the turnout for the game between the Atlanta Trojans and the Connecticut Skyhawks at the ODU field house will convince potential investors and USBL officials that Hampton Roads would support minor league basketball.
``After the game we'll sit down and determine if there's enough support in the business and sports communities to make it go,'' Harwood said.
The USBL, a nine-year-old league based in Milford, Conn., has nine teams and plans to add three more next season. The season runs from mid-May through mid-July.
Terry Monk, a co-owner of the Skyhawks who chairs the league's expansion committee, said six cities are vying for franchises. The fact that Hampton Roads is hosting a game gives the area ``a leg-and-half up'' on the other five, he said.
``(Hampton Roads) has a strong chance, very strong,'' Monk said. ``We wouldn't be doing this, and taking up Steve's time and energies if we weren't serious about it.''
Harwood has been negotiating with the league for about a year. The franchise fee is $150,000. Harwood said he is attempting to raise the money locally.
``We feel confident we can get that together,'' he said. ``There are a few people I've been working with, and shortly after the game, we'll sit down and talk.''
Harwood hasn't identified a site for a team, but listed the ODU field house, Tallwood High and Virginia Wesleyan as possibilities. He also said he's looking into playing home games in both South Hampton Roads and on the Peninsula.
If other USBL franchises are an indication, a large high school gym would be more than adequate. Steve Kirck, a league spokesman, said most teams average between 750 and 1,000 fans per game.
A home schedule would be 13 games.
Billing itself as the ``League of Opportunity'', the USBL is populated by rookies and free agents hoping to win spots on NBA rosters. Last year, three USBL players were drafted and dozens more earned invitations to NBA camps. Twenty-seven former USBL players were on NBA rosters this year, including Anthony Mason of the New York Knicks, Muggsy Bogues of the Charlotte Hornets and Michael Adams of the Washington Bullets. All told, 86 USBL alums have played in the NBA, while many more have played in the CBA or overseas.
The league received national attention last month when Florida State's Charlie Ward played four games with the Jacksonville Hooters.
by CNB