Perry Lefko

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.

There’s something going on in Hamilton and it could see the Ticats finish 1st in the East this year.

This just in: There's a football game in Hamilton on Sunday.

I say this because the big storyline in Steeltown is the ongoing dispute between Ticats caretaker bllionaire Bob Young, who abhors the title owner, and the City of Hamilton, notably mayor Fred Eisenberg.

The stadium is supposed to be built in time for the 2014 Pan Am Games, which southern Ontario will host. But both parties are fumbling the opportunity. In the absence of Jake Ireland to officiate, a mediator, commanding a salary of $600 an hour is trying to find a common middle ground. He's hoping they'll all kiss and make up, pecking each other on the cheek or calling in Adriano Belli to do it. The Kissing Bandit spreads the love to each and all, except quarterbacks, on or offside, pre-season or otherwise.

I digress.

David Braley -- excuse me, the recently-appointed Senator in addition to being owner of the B.C. Lions, Toronto Argonauts and a thriving auto parts factory smack dab in the Golden Horseshoe -- has said the City didn't put together a proper business plan because it was more preoccupied with a site. Whoever coined the expression "Location, Location, Location" should have prefaced it with the words "Business plan first."

Now that Braley's a senator, which required him to excuse himself as a high-ranking member of the 2014 Pan Am Committee, he has been quite willing to put forth his two cents (and then some). Braley is like that old E.F. Hutton commercial. When he talks, people listen.

One critic told the Toronto Star that Young won't hold the committee hostage for nine games. The suggestion has been that Hogtown could easily be the answer if the people in Steeltown can't come to an understanding.

My source, who wants to be identified as Deep Throw, has told me this thing should be turned into a soap opera. Call it The Tale of the Tiger. Of course, that's not to be confused with Tiger Woods, who has his own soap opera. As an aside, the Cats' theme this year is the Year of the Tiger. Who knew they'd be on to something really big?

Ticats' president Scott Mitchell irritated some Hamilton townfolk a few months back with a planted story about a tiger running loose in the downtown core. It created quite a buzz for a day. Depending on your point of view, it was either clever marketing or just a dumb idea. It was all part of the Year of the Tiger theme, but Mitchell was quite coy in explaining that, not wanting to give away its cryptic message.

But let's be serious for a moment. If Young doesn't get his way on this stadium impasse, what incentive is there for him to continue as the good caretaker, losing millions annually operating out of Ivor Wynne Stadium? He came to the financial rescue of the franchise after the 2003 season, but there won't be anyone willing to step forward if he ups and leaves.

Okay, maybe Braley. What's the difference between owning two teams or three?

And now back to the Ticats' football team and Sunday's game. There's an air of confidence, which is not that everpresent aroma eminating from the steel mills, permeating the city. After four seasons of ineptitude, the Cats showed serious improvement last year in the first full season of head coach Marcel Bellefeuille. With the able assistance of venerable general manager Bob O'Billovich, the Cats had a 9-9 record and had a rare home playoff game.

Evidence of just how far the team has come was provided last Sunday in Toronto, where the team sat out several key players. When did the Cats become so good that they could rest various starters, including projected starting quarterback Kevin Glenn and Arland (Spiderman/Michael Jackson) Bruce, among others. Who do the Cats think they are, the Montreal Alouettes?

It says here the Tiger-Cats will finish first in the East this year. Yes, you read that correctly. This is one of Peerless Perry's Prognostications.

As for the ongoing stadium story, well, Deep Throw has just told me he likes my pick of Hamilton placing first in the East, but is adamant that one of either Young or Eisenberger will be flagged for objectionable conduct.

Stay tuned starting on Monday for the first of my team-by-team previews, my pick to win the Grey Cup, the Cup finalists, Most Outstanding Player, Top Canadian, Top Defensive Player, Top Offensive Lineman, Top Rookie, Top Special Teams Player and Coach of the Year.

And also why I think Calgary defensive lineman Mike Labingo is slated to have a big season.