What possible use would this metric track or compare that would be of any real use to the market?
CEOs are NOT like elite athletes, and are much, much more interchangeable than is sold to us by those who benefit from keeping CEO salaries so high. Many work very long hours and have little family time, and deserve compensation for that, for sure. That said, it's the companies business what they pay their CEOs, but investors have a right to know those salaries as part of the investor's assessment of overall management.
I agree that what the high salaries some of the CEO are obscene however -
this SEC rule is equally obscene and patently un-American. This is a proudly a capitalistic country. Capitalism is the reason we enjoy the good life - even when suffering under a socialistic administration, or in spite of it.
Hate to tell you but this is going to be wildly popular amongst the great unwashed out there. Democrats will be using it to fuel their campaigns for years to come.
America, it seems, has finally embraced the Tall Poppy Syndrome.
The numbers sound sensational and inflammatory, but here are the facts:
If the CEO had given up his entire salary to distribute to all his employees, their salary would have increased by $122 per year, or about $10 each per month.
Is an effective CEO worth a large salary? My vote says yes.
When will they go after pro athletes or G-d forbid, politicians who come into office and then leave worth millions.