The Bullets and Capitals will begin their night games
at 7:00pm ET when they move to MCI Center next fall, a half-
hour earlier than their present starting times at USAir
Arena, according to Thomas Heath of the WASHINGTON POST.
Washington Sports President Susan O'Malley said that the
7:00pm start is intended to appeal to downtown fans,
"especially those in the lucrative corporate market, who go
to the arena straight from work." NBA VP/Communications
Brian McIntyre said that several NBA teams have moved their
starting times to 7:00pm "in an attempt to respond to the
needs of fans" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/20).
MCI SALES UPDATE: O'Malley said that both the Bullets
and Caps have 1,000 new season-ticket orders since they
began selling MCI Center plans last month. A spokesperson
for the teams said the Bullets currently have about 10,000
season-ticket holders, while the Caps have about 7,000.
O'Malley added that "about" 90 of the 110 luxury boxes and
less than half of the 3,000 club seats, costing $7,500 each
a year, have been leased or sold (WASHINGTON POST, 3/20).
