David Braley doesn't officially own the Argos -- yet -- but he's already making decisions for the much-beleaguered franchise.

Braley said yesterday he spoke with team president Bob Nicholson over the weekend and gave the green light to hire new head coach Jim Barker.

"I've had some general discussions with the president of the club. I approved the hiring of a head coach," Braley said. "I gave my approval, I didn't make the decision."

The Hamilton-based businessman said he's reached a verbal agreement to buy the franchise from David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski, and lawyers are drawing up papers to complete the transaction.

"I would say it's 90 per cent done," said the one-time Tiger-Cat owner. "I'm optimistic."

Braley wasn't willing to discuss terms of the deal. Once completed, the league's board of governors would be asked to approve the sale but that's expected to be a rubber stamp.

"If the deal gets signed," he says, "I do not anticipate any problem with the board of governors approving it."

Braley says every measure will be taken to preserve the integrity of the league now that he will control 25 per cent of the franchises -- he also owns the B.C. Lions.

"The league has dealt with that already and we'll advise the public in due course," he said.

Braley also says he has "complete confidence" in Nicholson but stopped short of giving the same vote of confidence to GM Adam Rita, refusing to speculate on his job status.

"I haven't thought about that yet," Braley noted.

Cynamon and Sokolowski bought the Double Blue out of bankruptcy in 2003, helped in part by financial support from Braley, who has continued to help the pair financially.

Last June, it was revealed Braley fronted Sokolowski and Cynamon half the $2-million franchise fee to purchase the Argos and continued to lend the team money.

dedwards@thespec.com

905-526-2481