Rumors abound that LinkedIn will be acquired soon. LinkedIn's co-founder and board chairman Reid Hoffman says that he is open to waiting until "the right suitor makes a deal he can't refuse."

As some may recall, News Corp had reportedly been in negotiations since last fall to integrate LinkedIn's networks with its newspapers.

According to VentureBeat, "here’s why LinkedIn may be considered valuable to a suitor. Its user base doubled last year to more than 20 million active users worldwide, and it claims that 1.3 million new members are joining per month. The average user is 41 years old and makes around $110,000 — which the company claims helps it charge advertisers $75 per thousand impressions (which is exceptionally high). "

This prediction will come true if any company makes an official offer or announcement to acquire LinkedIn, or if LinkedIn gets $500mil+ of funding by a company (not VC funding, but an investment from another large company interested in owning or making a huge working partnership with LinkedIn) on or before July 31 2008.

An official announcement by LinkedIn and/or the suitor company need be reported by the mainstream media (MSM) on or before July 31 for this to be judged favorably. Bets will close on July 25, and judgment will occur on August 1st unless events occur earlier.

(Ed. Note: Some minor word edits have been made by The Standard to clarify the rules of this prediction)