Just because Apple got an amazing bargain doesn't mean the payout for them won't be great as well.
This is the professional equivalent of having interns do a bunch of real work and throwing them a pizza party.
But to be clear that doesn't mean I think they (or someone else) should not be allowed to make this choice. The possibility should definitely exist. I just don't think it's a good choice in terms of it being a norm.
For a role like this, where outsized skill of someone who is and needs to be elite should be rewarded with enormously outsized pay, I think this a good model.
But, I do find it wild that a group as decorated as this already can't even get compensation that is commensurate with their skill and experience without having to rely on intangible future benefits.
This type of social proof, when executed well, is a boon to one’s career opportunities and credibility for getting future consulting jobs.
If they’re not hired by Apple, they’re going to move to the top of the list for info section recruiters everywhere. Being able to point to this blog post makes them an easy sell relative to some other person with a generic resume.