I don't have a problem with this at all. $300M is about 1/1000 of the current market cap. The rewards are spread over 10 years. So 1/10000 per year to have a world class CEO running the company. Would I pay that? Gladly.
What's the difference between 580 million and, say, 200 million? It's funny money either way, and the person's quality of work is going to depend on other motivations.
Christ, what total lunacy.
And what if Cook decided this is bullshit, and goes? Then what? That's right, total implosion. And for nothing.
And by the way, since when is 'cheap' a part of anything that Apple does?
Y'all really don't think they could've gotten him for cheaper?
Pay more, demand more, get more. Only idiots (or the truly broke) focus on cheap when they're standing in the spotlight. What you really want is value. And given that their stock didn't crater in what is, again, the most sensitive transition imaginable, their non-asshole savvy already paid for itself several times over in the last 48 hours alone.
If you're going to cut corners, play lowball, or just or drive a hard bargain, fine. But be sure you're doing it in places where you can afford to lose he deal.
Look, I'm not an Apple investor and I haven't bought any apple products in the last couple years or so, I really don't care and it's not my business. But with my read on human nature, the guy would do the same exact job for 10 mil a year as he would for 58 mil a year.