That's true, and that's a big weakness in my argument. However, if the hypothetical "best guy" can't bring himself to turn down 50 million at a competing (and p

That's true, and that's a big weakness in my argument. However, if the hypothetical "best guy" can't bring himself to turn down 50 million at a competing (and probably quite close to death) firm, then the firm that needs him most should be able to pay him. There is no reason for arbitrary limits, especially when they incentivize the people most capable of saving your firm to join your competitors.