Hamilton Negotiating With Balsillie

((HT: Hamilton Spectator/Nicole Macintyre))

The mayor expects Hamilton to lock up an arena deal with Jim Balsillie this week, saying the Blackberry billionaire is the only one with a concrete proposal before the city.

Fred Eisenberger ((pictured, thanks The Spec)) said he is communicating with an anonymous second suitor, but he doesn’t expect those talks will deter the city from reaching an agreement with Balsillie.

“Our main focus is and continues to be Mr. Balsillie. We intend to follow through and create an agreement with him that services his interest and the city of Hamilton. Any other discussions are, at this point, content,” said Eisenberger.

“As far as I’m concerned there is nothing as real as Mr. Balsillie's proposal and that’s the basis we’re moving forward on.”

The Spectator reported on Saturday that a Vancouver-based hockey group is also interested in relocating the financially strapped Atlanta Thrashers to Hamilton. An inside hockey source stated the group is lead by Vancouver developer Tom Gaglardi.

Thrashers’ general manager Don Waddell denied the NHL franchise is moving in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this weekend.

“There is no truth to it,” he said. “We are not a movable franchise. I have talked to our owners and no one has had contact with any group.”

Waddell said there are too many obstacles to move the team, including an ongoing lawsuit over its ownership and commitments to the city’s arena and the NHL.

Gaglardi has not commented publically since his name was raised in media reports last week. He has not returned calls for comment.

Eisenberger refused to identify the second suitor, saying only that he has talked with another interested party. He added no meeting is planned this week.

“I will be communicating with them” he said, adding he couldn’t say when.

Eisenberger described the talks as “information gathering” and stated he didn’t expect the dialogue would change the city’s plan to sign a deal with Balsillie.

“He is the only bona fide proposal that’s on the table right now and that’s the one we’re going to work with and put to bed by the middle of the week.”

Balsillie hopes to buy and relocate the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton for the 2009 season. He is battling the NHL in court to control the bankrupt franchise.