Ex-Apple CEO reportedly mulling bid to rescue BlackBerry

We’ve seen a steady stream of potential suitors for BlackBerry in recent months, but unnamed sources are now claiming ex-Apple CEO John Sculley is looking into taking control of the company. The Globe and Mail reports that Sculley, who famously helped oust Steve Jobs from Apple in the ‘80s, is working with partners in “exploring a joint bid” for the troubled Canadian smartphone maker.

Although he refused to confirm or deny the rumor, Sculley has long been a fan of the company. Speaking to The Globe and Mail, Sculley says “there’s a lot of future value in Blackberry,” but that “without experienced people who have run this type of business, and without a strategic plan, it would be really challenging.”

Other companies reportedly interested in BlackBerry include Lenovo, Cisco, Google, and the company’s founders. The only confirmed bid so far came from insurer Fairfax Financial Holdings, which offered $4.7 billion. Although Fairfax’s bid was for the entire company, BlackBerry isn’t against splitting up its various divisions to ensure its recovery. While its smartphone sales have slumped in recent years, the manufacturer’s enterprise operations have fared better and would likely appeal to a broader range of companies.