PITTSBURGH — Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie said he continues to be interested in buying the Pittsburgh Penguins, a week after he unexpectedly withdrew his reported bid to buy the club.

In a letter Balsillie sent to Penguins owner Mario Lemieux, which Balsillie shared with The Associated Press on Friday, Balsillie apologized to Lemieux for the aborted deal.

"I continue to be very interested in the team and in working toward an arena deal that is a benefit to the team and to the City of Pittsburgh," he wrote.

Balsillie withdrew his bid Dec. 15 after he couldn't agree to terms with the National Hockey League, even though the Penguins had said they were satisfied with his proposal. Balsillie reportedly balked when the league pushed for contract language that would prevent him from moving the team out of Pittsburgh.

The Penguins did not immediately return a call for comment on Balsillie's letter.

Lemieux has since said the team is off the market and that his ownership group will explore moving the Penguins to another city, among other options. That announcement came Thursday, a day after state regulators denied a slot-machine license to Isle of Capri Casinos, which had promised to build the Penguins a $290 million arena at no cost to the team or taxpayers.

Instead, Detroit casino developer Don Barden got the license. Barden has pledged $7.5 million annually for 30 years toward an arena in a so-called Plan B proposal put forth by the city and county. Plan B includes state development funds and a yet-to-be-negotiated contribution from the Penguins.

The Penguins' current home is Mellon Arena, a 45-year-old building the team says must be replaced for it to remain viable in Pittsburgh.

Lemieux has said he will consider the Plan B option; Balsillie wrote that he has people "ready to immediately start negotiating Plan B."

Balsillie also offered to walk "arm and arm" with Lemieux to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and "make one last effort to get our deal done."

The NHL did not immediately respond to questions about Balsillie's letter.

Balsillie is co-chief executive officer of Research in Motion Ltd., which makes the wireless BlackBerry communications device. Balsillie began negotiating with the Penguins in October after Toronto businessman Sam Fingold could not complete a deal to buy the team for approximately $175 million.