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Gurley: Elon Musk's Tesla compensation package is the right model

Bill Gurley · Mental Models That Change How You Think | Bill Gurley · Jun 9, 2026 · at 42:02

Venture capitalist Bill Gurley expresses strong support for performance-contingent executive compensation packages such as Elon Musk's Tesla grant.

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“The Tesla case is a great example that, that package, that type of package that they did for Elon, I've said this, you know, publicly, I would agree to that type of package for every company I've ever worked with, and most CEOs wouldn't take it. It basically says you don't make money unless the stock goes way up, and if your stock goes way up, you make an obscene amount of money, and I would do that deal over and over and over and over again.”

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