Concord, CA – A Delaware judge’s recent decision to void Elon Musk’s massive $56 billion compensation package from Tesla has sent shockwaves through the business world, with huge implications for the billionaire entrepreneur’s net worth and status as the world’s richest person. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick ruled this week that the 2018 pay package – the largest ever awarded by a public company – was unfair to Tesla shareholders.
“Neither the compensation committee nor the board acted in the best interests of the company when negotiating Musk’s compensation plan. In fact, there is barely any evidence of negotiations at all,” wrote McCormick in the court ruling. She described the Tesla CEO as a “superstar CEO” who used his influence to dictate the terms of his own pay.
Musk currently tops the Bloomberg Billionaires Index with an estimated net worth of $205 billion. However, his lucrative Tesla stock options represent one of his most valuable assets. Without the compensation package, analysts estimate his fortune could decline by over $50 billion – enough to knock him below Amazon’s Jeff Bezos as the world’s richest human.
Tesla’s board granted Musk the massive pay package in 2018, composed of stock options that vested as the company hit key milestones. It was intended to incentivize the CEO to lead Tesla through a difficult period of “production hell.” Since then, Tesla’s value skyrocketed over 1000%, largely driving Musk’s historic wealth accumulation.
McCormick ruled that Musk dictated the terms of the package through his influence over the board. She also said the milestones were not sufficiently challenging given Tesla’s growth projections. Musk already owned 22% of Tesla when the deal was struck, giving him substantial motivation to perform.
Both Tesla and Musk have the right to appeal the Delaware court’s decision. In response to the ruling, Musk suggested moving Tesla’s corporate headquarters from Delaware to Texas, where its production facility resides. This would likely trigger a shareholder vote.
If the court order stands, Tesla may have to negotiate a replacement pay package for its CEO and most prominent leader. This could pose a distraction for Musk and the automaker at a challenging time, with sales slowing globally and new competition emerging. However, Musk has many other ventures dividing his time, including SpaceX, Twitter, Neuralink and The Boring Company.
The high-profile court decision highlights concerns over governance and independence at Tesla. It also represents a rare defeat for Musk, who has created huge wealth and shot to global fame in recent years. While Musk may appeal, the judge’s stark rebuke of his past compensation will likely embolden critics and regulators.
For now, Musk remains the world’s richest person. But this week’s unprecedented court ruling shows that even the wealthiest people are not immune to legal checks on their power. The ultimate impact on Musk’s fortune and Tesla’s future direction remains unclear.
