Ticats say arbitrator rules that Williams’ CFL deal is legal and binding

HAMILTON – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats say an independent arbitrator has ruled that receiver Chris Williams’ deal with the CFL club is binding.

Williams, the CFL’s top special-teams player last season, had gone to arbitration asking to be released from his contract with the Ticats, reportedly so he could pursue NFL offers.

“We are pleased that the independent arbitrator has reached this logical and obvious conclusion,” Kent Austin, Hamilton’s head coach and general manager, said in a statement. “As we have stated all along, and the arbitration result validated, Chris has a legal and binding contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“We’re eager to put this matter behind us and continue our preparations for the 2013 season.”

Austin is expected to discuss the Williams situation in more detail Wednesday.

It remains unclear whether Williams will report to Hamilton or sit out the season, then pursue an NFL deal in 2014.

A call to his agent Dan Vertlieb was not immediately returned.

As a result of the ruling, the Ticats said they will not be subject to any penalties or fines.

Williams had a club-record 17 TDs last season, including a CFL-record six on kick returns.

He had refused to attend Hamilton’s mini-camp earlier this off-season and was a no-show when the Ticats opened training camp Sunday.

Williams was reportedly contending he wasn’t made fully aware of the conditions pertaining to his contract when he signed it prior to the 2011 season and that an unregistered agent negotiated the deal for him.

As a result, Williams sought to have the contract made invalid.