There was a study I read some time ago that essentially said the inflation of CEO salaries is because the boards who control the compensation of CEOs is just on

There was a study I read some time ago that essentially said the inflation of CEO salaries is because the boards who control the compensation of CEOs is just one big Old Boy Network. They all know each other, are wannabe or ex CEOs, so they end up "taking care" of each other. I don't remember the exact details or whether the study was scientifically solid or just someone spitballing stuff, so who knows. Personally I find the golden handshake deals completely reprehensible, and more or less a criminal misuse of shareholders' money, especially if the CEO leaves/gets fired because the company is going down the drain.