In La Presse this morning, a story from their Affaires staff quoting Jim Balsillie, of Research In Motion and Blackberry fame,  as saying the Canadiens are up for sale by owner George Gillett.

Gillett has vehemently denied it.  Two weeks ago there was a story in the Times of London that stated Liverpool FC of the English Premiership was up for sale.  Gillett has never directly denied that story. 

The following is a translation of this morning's La Presse story (original version here)

 Are the Canadiens for sale? 

 Jim Balsillie, the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Research in Motion (RIM), maker of the famous BlackBerry wireless phone, says they are.

 "The team is for sale," he stressed in an interview with La Presse in RIM headquarters in Waterloo, Ontario.

 For over two years Balsillie has tired to move heaven and earth to acquire an NHL team.  With the  barely concealed goal of moving it to Hamilton's Copps Coliseum.   But so far, the NHL Board of Governors has thwarted his plans to purchase either the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators.

 On the phone, Gillett, has vehemently denied Balsillie's statement. . "Over the years we've been approached several times by people interested in buying the Canadiens.  Never, ever, whether in the past or now, have we considered selling or entered into  discussions about selling the team.  In this centennial year, as we prepare for the All-Star game and with the best supporters in the world and an extraordinary team, I do not know why anyone would invent such a story. "

 The allegations of Balsillie so disturbed Gillett that he asked the NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to call La Presse. "I confirm what George told you.  This franchise is not for sale, " said the Commissioner.

An avid hockey fan ----the  idol of his youth was Guy Lafleur ----- Balsillie was 327th among the richest men on the planet.  According to Forbes magazine he was estimated to  be worth 3.4 billion dollars. 

. Because of the financial crisis and promoting expensive new devices that eats at profit margins, RIM is estimated to have lost more than half its stock value since the peak of $ 150.30 on June 19 at the Toronto Stock Exchange. Nevertheless, the 34 million shares of RIM  Balsillie had as of  October 10 were still worth more than 1.9 billion Canadian dollars as of yesterday.

 "I can afford to buy several hockey teams," he said, smiling when La Presse sought to take evaluate his interest in the Nashville Predators.  He refused to discuss during the formal interview (whose report will appear tomorrow in La Presse Affaires), the turbulent and competitive environment in which RIM sails."I can not talk right now," he said.

At the end of the interview when he was photographed, however, it was to discuss hockey sticks broken.  To a reporter who asked if he had already attended a game at the Bell Center, Jim Balsillie spoke of the extraordinary atmosphere that prevailed in the amphitheater of "George" (Gillett, of course)..

 "The team is for sale," he insisted.

When asked if he would move the team he said,  "Of course not, it would be pure folly to move the Montreal team,"

 Then, without being asked, he went looking for the CH logo on his Canadian BlackBerry. However he would not be photographed with his phone and the Habs logo. 

 Balsillie left before we could question him  more on his intentions about the Canadiens, a team of which, according to the Globe & Mail,  he claims to be a "hard fan"  Balsillie's  mother however, claims that as a boy he cheered for the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Invited to clarify his thoughts via email, Balsillie declined to talk hockey.

Personal investment

 Of course, any investment on Balsillie's part, if successful, would be made in a personal capacity, as was the case for the Penguins and Predators.  So far, there has never been any question that the corporate RIM would invest in a hockey team and arena even if the company has worked hard over the past two years to widen the market for wireless users.  

 Remember in the summer of 2007, the founder of RIM had started pre-season tickets in Hamilton before they had officially acquired the Predators.  According to some observers NHL commissioner Gary Bettman urged then Predators owner Craig Leipold, to accept a lesser bid  than Balsillie's.

Bettman did not want to comment yesterday, but in an interview to CKAC, the day before, he had argued that Balsillie had withdrawn his offer. "I have nothing against him.  Those who say otherwise are wrong, "he told CKAC Wednesday.  He had two chances to buy a franchise (Pittsburgh and Nashville) and left the table before closing the deal. "

 A group of local investors led by businessman William (Boots) Del Biaggio III finally acquired the Predators in 2007.  However, Del Biaggio subsequently went bankrupt in June after being accused of fraudulently acquiring 10 million (U.S.) bank from banks to acquire the Predators.

 A bankruptcy court is in the process of liquidating Del Biaggio's assets, including his 27% stake in the predators.  

 Is Balsillie is interested in the Habs or not ? In any case, he would not be alone.  The potential sale of the team would inevitably create a stire.   We recall the commotion created seven years ago, when the American Gillett bought  the Bell Center and 80.1% of the Canadiens (Molson owns 19.9% remaining) by offering 275 million Cdn.