Sometimes in tech, it's not just what you know but who you know. And if you're wondering who might profit most from a potential chip deal between Google and Meta, Jim Cramer has a clear answer: Broadcom Inc. (AVGO).

The Board Seat That Matters

The "Mad Money" host took to X on Tuesday to highlight what he's calling the decisive factor in this potential windfall. Broadcom's CEO Hock Tan sits on Meta Platforms Inc. (META)'s board, which Cramer sees as the key connection that could funnel business Broadcom's way.

"The most likely winner here is Broadcom because that is who Meta would contract with," Cramer wrote.

His analysis follows Monday's reports that Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) (GOOGL) is in talks with Meta and other cloud clients about deploying Google's AI chips in their data centers. This isn't just about expanding Google's chip business—it's about taking on NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) in the increasingly competitive AI hardware market. Google wants its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to challenge Nvidia's GPU dominance, and Meta could be a marquee customer.

Broadcom's Quiet Challenge to Nvidia

While Nvidia has dominated headlines in the AI hardware space, Broadcom has been building its own position through smart silicon design and hyperscaler-grade networking equipment. Tan has been instrumental in this strategy, recently earning a contract extension that keeps him at the helm through 2030.

The company's collaboration with Google on the Ironwood TPU (TPUv6, 3 nm) exemplifies this approach. That partnership is projected to generate over $15 billion in revenue over its lifetime—a validation that Broadcom can compete in a space Nvidia has largely owned. Google has designed its TPUs since launching them in 2016, but the company relies on manufacturing partners like Broadcom for older chip generations, according to Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes.

Tan joined Meta's board in February 2024, a move that reflects CEO Mark Zuckerberg's interest in his deep expertise in silicon design and energy infrastructure—both critical to Meta's AI ambitions.

Market Reaction Tells the Story

The market clearly likes Broadcom's positioning in this potential deal. On Monday, Broadcom shares jumped 11.10% to close at $377.96, approaching its 52-week high of $386.48. That gain outpaced both Alphabet, which rose 6.28% to $318.47, and Meta, which climbed 3.16% to $613.05.

The enthusiasm makes sense when you consider the strategic angles at play. If Google wants to sell TPUs to Meta, and Meta wants custom chip solutions, Broadcom sits right at the intersection with both the technical capability and the board-level relationship to make it happen. That's the kind of positioning that can turn industry shifts into serious revenue opportunities.