MILFORD, CT - The United States Basketball League (USBL) announced today at a press conference at the Dodge City Civic Center in Dodge City, Kansas that the USBL will be bringing an expansion franchise to the area for the 2000 season. The new franchise, which is owned by Dodge City Basketball Inc., will complement the existing Kansas Cagerz who play in Salina, Kansas.

On hand at the Press Conference were Daniel T. Meisenheimer, III (President and Commissioner of the USBL), Jim Coffin (Team President) and Tom Nelson (Team General Manager). Members of the ownership group were also present and they included Jim Lewis, Greg Goff, Pat George, Kent Smoll, Dr. Kelly Henrichs, Dr. Kelly Cohoon, George Henrichs, Rodger Davis, Michael Morrison, Carolyn Banning, Michael Stevens and Rick Redd.

The franchise will run a "name the team contest" to allow a local fan the opportunity to name the team.

Jim Coffin will serve as President of the new franchise and had this to say regarding the expansion franchise, "The goal of the USBL is to provide first-class entertainment in a family atmosphere with the same type of feel of an NBA game, but at an affordable price. I think the primary motivation for bringing a team to Dodge City was entertainment."

"We are extremely excited to bring a USBL franchise to Dodge City," said Daniel T. Meisenheimer, III, Commissioner for the USBL. "We had tremendous success with our inaugural year in Salina, Kansas last season and it is my belief that we will have some of the same results here in Dodge City. The obvious rivalry that will result between the two cities should be very healthy for both franchises and the USBL. The combination of the Ownership Group and the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation have worked hard to make sure that this franchise is a staple in their community. There is no doubt that their efforts will pay off in 2000."

The expansion franchise will draft players at the 2000 USBL Draft, which will be held on April 11th. Dodge City will play a 30-game regular season followed by the League's Championship Tournament. The season will begin on April 21st. Dodge City will tip-off their home schedule on April 25th. Dodge City will join the Kansas Cagerz, Florida Sea Dragons, Gulf Coast Sun Dogs and an expansion franchise in Enid, Oklahoma to make-up the Southern Division. The Northern Division will consist of the Atlantic City Seagulls, Long Island Surf, Brooklyn Kings, New Jersey Shorecats, Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs and Washington Congressionals.

"This is great for everyone," said Tom Nelson, General Manager for the new expansion franchise. "This is going to put Dodge City on the map as one of the smallest professional sports towns in the country."

Since 1985 the USBL has sent 123 players on to the NBA. Among the number of Alumni are Avery Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Anthony Mason, Chris Childs, Charlie Ward, Mario Elie, Adrian Griffin and Darrell Armstrong.

Although there are other publicly traded sports teams such as the Boston Celtics (NYSE: BOS) and Ascent Entertainment (NASDAQ: GOAL) owners of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, the USBL is the first and only publicly traded Sports League allowing fans to become owners (OTCBB: USBL).

(USBL)