From my point of view, it looks like the Sales VP is correct, you are overqualified for his team since you likely are better qualified than the Product Strategy

From my point of view, it looks like the Sales VP is correct, you are overqualified for his team since you likely are better qualified than the Product Strategy guy himself and they both know it. Especially if the CEO had anything good to say to these guys about you after your lengthy 2.5 hour powwow that resulted in the desired offer. Product Strategy and Sales don't want the internal competition from someone else with a direct line to the CEO who is capable of the New Project which no one else has been able to move forward on. Those two guys don't want you, I would never work under them. But if I was completely confident I could do the Project from Scratch, I would emphasize that to the CEO, agree to report directly to him, plan to outlast the flunkies, and hire their replacements later on. Be prepared for back-stabbing, and if the CEO ever drops his complete support, be ready to leave at any time.