It happens all the time. More often than not the C-level will get a bonus on employee retention and tie the new stock vesting schedule up with that retention period. They in the meantime are able to immediately get bought out.
I think Michael has a very legitimate position here, and one that is not well understood at all.
As a side note, I think Netflix' strategy of paying people a lot of money with no stock/rsu's/options is the right one.
Strong agree on cash over options. I like how I understand Bloomberg to do it, too: internally liquid equity; ie, equity that is practically immediately as good as cash.
I think Michael has a very legitimate position here, and one that is not well understood at all.
As a side note, I think Netflix' strategy of paying people a lot of money with no stock/rsu's/options is the right one.