Tesla Inc (TSLA)

[mick]

$TSLA Musk's bonuses aren't just checks in the mail. They're options to purchase 1.69 million shares of the company, per tranche, for $350 — more than $1,000 off the retail price as of today.

If all 12 of the valuation milestones are hit and maintained, the total payout, based on the final milestone's threshold share value, will be just shy of $56 billion.

Combine that with his existing net worth, and he will likely become the richest man in the world.

And let's be realistic here, people, it probably will happen.

Even on a bad day, Musk is nothing if not one of the world's most determined hype men.

Just days ago, via pre-recorded video at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, he announced to the world that Tesla's quest for a fully autonomous vehicle might finally come to an end as early as this year (just in time for those next few tranches to vest).