Largest options grant

Largest options grant
Who
Steve Jobs
What
872000000 US dollar(s)
Where
United States
When
2000
In 2000 Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer Inc, received an options grant worth $872 million - the largest ever awarded to a CEO.  An options grant gives an employee an option to purchase a specific number of shares of company stock for a limited period of time at a specified price (usually lower than the listed price).  Options are normally granted as part of a compensation package and the terms may depend on the employee's position and negotiating posture.
Since he re-joined Apple in 1997, Jobs has only paid himself $1 a year. The $872-million figure refers to the face value of the options at the time they were granted, i.e the then-current price of the stock multiplied by the shares optioned.  Options do not mean automatic wealth - this depends on whether the stock rises or drops.