2011–2012
Governance crisis surrounding RIM's co-CEO model
Investors and analysts criticise the Balsillie-Lazaridis joint leadership and the lack of strategic renewal.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
Photo: AtelMedia Technologies · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Born in Canada · Nationality Canadian — Business / finance / tech
Jim Balsillie
Documented profile covering 9 controversies, including “Stock option backdating at RIM and resignation from chairmanship” and “Restatement of approximately 250 M$ in RIM accounts”.
Profile No. 0777 · Updated on 12 October 2026
9Documented controversies
4Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction
§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology
I. Documented controversies
No legal proceedings
2012
Complete departure from RIM following strategic disagreement
Balsillie also leaves the board after his strategy to open BlackBerry services to other platforms is rejected.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
2007–2011
Public underestimation of the iPhone threat
Balsillie downplays the competitive threat posed by the iPhone, a position that becomes emblematic of RIM's strategic mistakes.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
1996–2009
Stock option backdating at RIM and resignation from chairmanship
An internal review identifies numerous improper option-granting and dating practices; Balsillie steps down as chairman and reaches a settlement with the OSC.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
2009
Attempted purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes through bankruptcy proceedings
Balsillie makes his offer conditional on relocation to Hamilton, triggering a major legal and institutional conflict with the NHL.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
2009
Rejected by the NHL on character and integrity grounds
The Board of Governors rejects his application for ownership, citing concerns about character and integrity.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
2007
Restatement of approximately 250 M$ in RIM accounts
RIM substantially restates its financial statements because of improper stock option accounting.
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
2007
Attempted purchase of the Nashville Predators and Hamilton Predators deposits
Balsillie accepts season-ticket deposits for a future team in Hamilton before the sale has even taken place, despite NHL opposition.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
2006
Attempted purchase of the Pittsburgh Penguins
The proposed purchase fails, notably because of NHL restrictions concerning a possible relocation.
- State of the evidence
- Documented
Sources · 1
- [1]
Last verified: 5 September 2026
II. Constellation of documented links
- Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
- Line width: number of documented references
- Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources
Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.
List of documented links (1)
III. Has something changed?
A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.