The city won’t engage in talks about a professional soccer team at Tim Hortons Field until it resolves a lawsuit over the problematic stadium.
The Tiger-Cats were initially granted exclusive rights to bring a professional team to Hamilton under the stadium’s lease agreement with the city.
But the city maintains those rights have since lapsed.
“The Tiger-Cats’ soccer option under their licence with the city expired in May 2016,” spokesperson Jen Recine reiterated in a news release Monday afternoon.
“As of today, the City of Hamilton has decided not to pursue any business related to soccer at TimHortons Field until the stadium litigation is resolved,” she added.
Councillors at Monday’s general issues committee met behind closed doors to discuss the ongoing litigation before announcing their decision in open session.
Coun. Sam Merulla said the city won’t engage in negotiations with any party that’s also a legal opponent. “We’re just basically conforming to our policy,” Merulla said after Monday’s meeting.
The city, stadium contractor Ontario Sports Solutions and Infrastructure Ontario have been locked in a lawsuit over delays and deficiencies at the $145-million stadium.
Merulla referred to that litigation as “suspended animation” but declined to elaborate more on the legal proceedings.
“Litigation is always regretful.”
Recine said new negotiations with the Ticats would be necessary to have soccer at the stadium.
The city “has worked hard and in good faith to try to resolve” the lawsuit, but all parties haven’t been able to reach a resolution, she added.
“The city was not responsible for the construction of the stadium, is confident in its position in the litigation and is committed to ensuring no additional costs for the stadium be passed on to its taxpayers.”
Ticats owner Bob Young couldn’t be reached for comment late Monday, but the team has argued its soccer rights haven’t expired.
Some councillors have said they’re open to exploring other professional soccer teams that could play in Hamilton.
But Canada Soccer, also known as the Canadian Soccer Association, has said it won’t sanction any other pro team here.
In May, Canada Soccer approved establishing a new professional men’s league and a founding team owned by the Ticats.
Coun. Matthew Green said after Monday’s meeting that he knew of no other potential soccer teams landing in Hamilton.
