Microsoft CEO's Compensation Sees 63% Increase to $79 Million

The total compensation package for Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, has risen by 63% to $79.1 million for the current fiscal year. According to a regulatory filing, stock awards accounted for $71.2 million of this amount, representing an 81% increase. Nadella's base salary was $2.5 million, with an additional $5.2 million coming from a non-equity incentive plan and $169,791 in other forms of compensation. In his annual letter to shareholders, Nadella reflected on 2024 as a transformative year for the company, citing the acquisition of Activision Blizzard and advancements in cloud gaming. However, the company has faced significant restructuring, including large-scale layoffs affecting over 2,500 employees. This includes the layoff of 1,900 staff members from the gaming division earlier in the year, followed by an additional 650 layoffs as part of post-acquisition team adjustments. Furthermore, four Bethesda studios were closed in June, with Krafton subsequently acquiring Tango Gameworks as part of a strategic partnership.