TORONTO -- Jim Balsillie isn't giving up on his quest to bring an NHL team to Hamilton even though a U.S. bankruptcy judge has rejected the Canadian billionaire's bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.
Balsillie's spokesman Bill Walker says the ruling from Redfield T. Baum is just the latest step in the process.
During a news conference in Toronto today Walker said the Balsillie group wants fans to voice their support and will be emailing members of its Make It Seven website in the coming days to explain how they can get involved.
Balsillie's lawyer Richard Rodier also attended the news conference. Balsillie was not there.
"The commitment remains completely unchanged," said Walker. "He's committed to Hamilton, he's committed to Copps Coliseum. He just sees this as another day at work, another day at the office."
Rodier said the Balsillie camp is willing to negotiate with the NHL on bringing the Coyotes to Hamilton but that the league has not approached Balsillie.
Rodier said the next step was to speak to Jerry Moyes, the Coyotes' majority owner.
Baum's much anticipated ruling came down Monday night, nearly a week after a dramatic hearing in his Phoenix court.