In case you haven’t noticed, the NHL Playoffs are underway with the CANUCKS at BRUINS tonight for game 4. In between the Stanley Cup Playoff run, the Comcast’s Versus and NBC networks have been taken over by advertisements for RIM’s BlackBerry. Its been reported that RIM is dishing out around seven figures for its sponsorship. It’s safe to say we can give credit to Co-CEO Jim Balsillie for this one. For years now, Baslsillie has been browsing the market looking to acquire a professional Hockey team but has yet to strike a deal with anyone. According to reports, this could all change soon and Jim’s dream could become a reality. The forbes.blog reported,
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told Balsillie that if he behaves himself and doesn’t create any more spectacles or bad publicity for the league, he will eventually get a team.
How does this affect RIM and BlackBerry? Fall forward, is what they say, not backward. Jim is a smart guy, it won’t surpise me if he tries pushing their PLAYBOOK tablet to the team and possibly further into the league. Jim’s connections are only going to open up, which means an oppurtunity for RIM here. So if played right, this wouldn’t be a bad thing for BlackBerry.
full story here