Anaheim Hockey Deal Near : Negotiations: Disney team is expected to reach agreement on an arena lease this week.

The Walt Disney and Ogden Entertainment companies are close to a lease that would pave the way for Disney’s NHL expansion team to begin play in the Anaheim Arena in October.

“We’re looking at wrapping it up this week,” Anaheim City Manager James D. Ruth said. “I thought we might be able to tell you something today--we’re so close, so close. . . . We’re down to three issues, one of which is substantive, but we’re very optimistic.”

The Anaheim City Council met for about 90 minutes in closed session Tuesday to discuss lease negotiations, and a special session has been called for Friday at 4 p.m., after which an announcement is expected to be made on the hockey team.

Asked what the team’s chances of starting in 1993 were, councilman Fred Hunter replied: “I would say 90%.”

There were reports two weeks ago that negotiations between the two companies had broken down and that the team would not begin play until 1994. But as the NHL’s Monday deadline for informing the league of its intentions approaches, the two parties have moved closer to an agreement.

“Every hour the odds change” of playing in 1993, Disney Chairman Michael Eisner told reporters Tuesday. “Yesterday morning it looked good for ‘93, and then later in the day it didn’t look so good. . . .”

What changes have occurred in the past two weeks? “The realization that it’s not good for them to open an arena without a franchise,” the source said.

“There’s one major obstacle--something the city has to decide they want to do if they want anyone in that building. But, potentially, that could be resolved (today). An announcement could come by Friday.”

Mayor Tom Daly said the issue was arena parking.

Daly would not elaborate, but at stake are annual parking revenues, which generate millions of dollars that probably would be divided between Disney, Ogden and the City of Anaheim.

There is also concern that there isn’t enough parking in the immediate vicinity of the arena. One possible solution is using the nearby Anaheim Stadium parking lot and shuttling spectators to Anaheim Arena.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said neither Anaheim nor Miami has told him whether it will begin play next season.