Long Island Surf

Basketball is popular around here. We believe that there's a fan base out there that wants to see an alternative to the . . . NBA."

The team also is looking at several possible coaching candidates, according to Vickers, including former Georgetown guards Reggie Williams and Charles Smith, former Duke point guard Bobby Hurley and ex-University of California coach Todd Bozeman.

An expansion team would be welcome at Show Place Arena, Chambers said, despite the fact that professional teams haven't fared well there in recent years.

The Chesapeake Icebreakers of the East Coast Hockey League moved to Mississippi in July 1999 after only two years in Prince George's County. The CBA had agreed to put an expansion team in Upper Marlboro last fall. However, an uncertain ownership situation surrounding the league halted expansion plans. Gary, Indiana, also lost a franchise, and the CBA ownership
issue has yet to be completely resolved.

Vickers, president of Live Wire Sports, and partner Mark Canno head the ownership group that has paid the $300,000 franchise fee to the league and has already opened an office at Show Place Arena.

Chambers and the seven-year-old arena have fared well without the pro sports, getting more popular each year. But he said he thinks the USBL will definitely help the arena.

Vickers brings USBL experience, having served as the president of the Florida Sea Dragons last season. The Sea Dragons set a league attendance record with an average of 3,823 fans per home game in their inaugural season.

With the opening of the season about four months away, Vickers isn't left with much time for the crucial marketing and advertising work that a minor league team needs.

"In minor league sports, you have to get involved and go back into the community," Vickers said. "You have to offer basketball and entertainment at a reasonable price, and that's what they want to do."

Chambers said the team will play mostly weeknight games starting at 7 p.m., which should help because the nearby Bowie Baysox schedule many of their promotions on weekends and draw their best crowds on those nights.

"I think they're going to benefit from having a majority of weekday plays because the Baysox play a lot on the weekends," Chambers said. "The Baysox really go after that weekend crowd. I think the [basketball] team will have an excellent shot at good attendance."

The team, which will be the only USBL expansion team this upcoming season, will use Maryland in its team name for greater regional appeal, Vickers added. USBL spokesman Orville Sweeney confirmed Monday that Upper Marlboro would be awarded an expansion team.

"I'm really happy about this, and I'm looking forward to this," said Show Place Arena general manager Bill Chambers, who added that the team likely will play approximately 15 home games. "We're excited to get pro basketball back in the county.