RIM's Jim Balsillie to buy Nashville Predators

RIM's doing just fine thanks to a host of new models, but the same can't be said for its embattled CEO. First he loses his bid to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins, then he loses his chairmanship -- but things might just be turning around for Jim Balsillie. Word on the street is that Nashiville Predators owner Craig Leipold has turned the keys to the club over to Balsillie with an official announcement scheduled for tomorrow. Though there's a guarantee in place that the Predators will stick around for the next season, RIM's hometown has been pining after an NHL franchise for some time. Could this be the Predators' swan song in Nashville? Will the state of Tennessee write off BlackBerrys as evil devices for ever and ever? Only time'll tell.

[Thanks, Boy Genius]

[DonaldMick Posted May 23rd 2007 11:55PM]

I'd be interested in seeing if there are any more hockey fans in TN than the ones that go to Predators games...

[(Unverified) Posted May 24th 2007 12:29AM]

Gotta say, living in Waterloo, RIM is a huge part of this city, but not as much as hockey.
We're only an hour from Toronto, but the Leafs are so far away due to high ticket costs. Greater competition might actually lower ticket prices, and force the Leafs to build a winner and of course, give us a local team.

There's only half a million in this region, but I'm sure a greater percent of that follows hockey religiously than Nashville.

[(Unverified) Posted May 24th 2007 1:20AM]

Yeaa!!! Canada needs another hockey team!! lol... We need our sport back! GO FLAMES GO

[KC Posted May 24th 2007 4:36PM]

You mean of course Go SENS Go right!? I mean, I don't see Calgary in the Stanley cup finals this year looking to wipe the floor with the Ducks from Disneyland.

Another NHL team in Ontario would be Awesome though! But personally I'm still pulling for Hamilton to get hte next franchise

[(Unverified) Posted May 24th 2007 8:41AM]

I figured it out from the comments, but it would have been helpful to have "RIM's hometown" identified in the writeup.

[(Unverified) Posted May 25th 2007 12:56PM]

Just wanted to say that there are "devoted" hockey fans in Nashville and I cannot imagine life without the Predators. Please don't take the Predators away from us. We are in love with them.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 2nd 2007 2:50PM]

Moving the Predators from Nashville would suck. You silly Canadians can keep your shirts on. you better believe more than 14,000 of us will show up next season to EVERY game to lock the Predators in Nashville for the next seven years. Don't screw Nashville fans over Balsillie.......

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 7th 2007 10:20PM]

Props to the Hammer lol (hmilton) on its new NHL team lol the hamilton somthing or others hell i dont care they are a play off readyteam and will be a great thing for our great city to hamilton it might bring business back to this once prosperous city
I cant Wait to go see our new team andi will be buying season tickits

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2007 10:38PM]

the predetors will not come to canada because of betmans huge eago he will not let the sale happen mark my words .ernie