Of course they could but dumping all those shares on the market to be sold would lower the stock price. The C-suite isn't interested in their compensation going

Of course they could but dumping all those shares on the market to be sold would lower the stock price. The C-suite isn't interested in their compensation going down, easier to cut costs which may additionally make their compensation go up. It isn't about building a good solid company, it is about getting while the getting is good.