Apple's Cook 'top-paid US CEO in 2011

Apple chief executive Tim Cook topped the list of the best-paid CEOs in the
US in 2011 thanks to stock options that put him more than $US300 million
($A305.95 million) above his next rival, a Wall Street Journal survey
shows.
Cook, who took the helm of the iPhone and iPad maker in August last year, two
months before the death of founder Steve Jobs, clocked in total compensation of
$US378 million ($A385.50 million).

Cook earned a paltry 90 US cents for his annual salary and 90 US cents for
his annual incentives.

But he scooped up a cool $US376 million ($A383.46 million) in restricted
stock grants, based on Apple's stock price at the time.

Another Silicon Valley big gun, the head of Oracle, Larry Ellison, came in
second place with less than a fifth of Cook's pay, at $US76 million ($A77.51
million).

The study, conducted by Hay Group for the Journal covered the 300 largest US
public companies by revenue.

Television broadcaster CBS head Leslie Moonves was in number-three position
at $US69 million ($A70.37 million), followed by the chief executive of
struggling retailer JCPenney, Ronald Johnson, who pulled in $US53 million
($A54.05 million).

Motorola Mobility chief Sanjay Jha was ranked fifth, at $US47 million
($A47.93 million).

The remainder of the top 10, in descending order, were the CEOs of Citigroup,
Viacom, Motorola Solutions, Walt Disney, and Ford Motor, whose Alan Mulally
earned $US29 million ($A29.58 million).

Apple's Cook could see his compensation climb further into the stratosphere
this year. Apple shares have leapt 29 per cent in the year to date, and on
Monday were up 5.5 per cent in late New York trade.

Drogba tells Chelsea: I’m off

SO LONG ... Didier Drogba bows out on a high after Chelsea's Champions League triumph

DIDIER DROGBA broke down in tears as he told stunned team-mates: ‘I’m off.’

The big hitman insists it broke his heart to finally admit his eight-year stay at Chelsea was over.

Drogba started to cry when he informed John Terry, Frank Lampard and the rest: ‘We will no longer be together next season.’

He made the shock announcment at the Blues victory parade, 24 hours after helping them to Champions League glory.

The 34-year-old is expected to link up with former team-mate Nicolas Anelka at Shanghai in China in a £200,000-a-week deal.

But the move was thrown in to doubt last night when it emerged coach Anelka is involved in a row with Shanghai’s owners.

Drogba said: “Even though it’s been three years since I said that I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club — especially since I did not want this end.”

Drogba told France Football magazine: “I could not see myself sitting on the bench watching others play when the club plans to set up a new team.

"I’m not relieved, I am especially sad to leave such good guys. I prepare for my leap into the void, into the unknown.”

The Ivorian claims he could never play for another Premier League side.

He added: “If I must leave it will be for an adventure that’s totally different from the big leagues.

"First, because there is no question I would play for anyone else in England other than Chelsea and also, because I don’t know what I could get in Spain, Italy or Germany that I don’t already know.

“I don’t want to start an ordinary adventure elsewhere. I’m more attracted to a new life.”

Anelka has helped negotiations between Shanghai and Drogba reach an advanced stage.

But the Frenchman is unhappy with the interference he has encountered since taking over as player-coach from Jean Tigana last month and could decide to walk away.

'Perlawanan gila'

SHARAPOVA memegang trofi selepas menjuarai Rome Masters awal pagi semalam.

---

ROM - Ratu Rusia, Maria Sharapova muncul juara kejohanan tenis Rome Masters buat kali kedua berturut-turut.

Pada aksi final awal pagi semalam, Sharapova berjaya mempertahankan kejuaraan yang dimenanginya tahun lalu apabila menumbangkan pemain handalan China, Li Na.

Bagaimanapun, Sharapova diberi tentangan sengit oleh Li Na sebelum meraih kemenangan 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) dalam masa dua jam.

Aksi tersebut juga terpaksa dihentikan seketika kerana hujan lebat.

Selepas tewas pada set pertama, Sharapova yang juga pemain No. 2 dunia, tidak menunjukkan tanda- tanda dia akan mudah menyerah kalah.

Sebaliknya dia kembali bangkit dalam set kedua, seterusnya mengheret perlawanan ke set penentuan.

Perlawanan set penentuan itu juga berlangsung sengit apabila kedua-dua saling memungut mata sebelum Sharapova menang menerusi tie-break.

"Ia satu perlawanan yang gila. Salah seorang daripada kami (Sharapova dan Li Na) harus memenangi perlawanan itu, jika tidak ia akan berterusan lebih lama.

"Agak sukar untuk memberikan aksi terbaik kerana angin kencang. Perlawanan ini cukup sukar kerana berlangsung dua jam.

"Memang menyedihkan kerana pada akhirnya seorang yang akan tewas tetapi saya gembira dengan kejayaan ini.

"Memang cukup hebat apabila dapat mengalahkan seorang pemain yang memiliki skil permainan yang tinggi," jelas Sharapova.

Sementara itu, Li Na menganggap aksi final tersebut seperti bermain bola sepak dalam cuaca hujan.

"Ia suatu perlawanan yang lucu. Walaupun kami direhatkan buat seketika tetapi kami tetap perlu memberi tumpuan setiap masa, situasi itu cukup memenatkan kami.

"Pada masa yang sama, situasi itu memberi tekanan kepada kami. Namun, saya mahu mengambilnya dari sudut positif," jelas Li Na yang juga juara Terbuka Perancis tahun lalu.

Kejayaan di Rom menyaksikan Sharapova menambah koleksi kejuaraan tahun ini selepas menjuarai Grand Prix Porsche di Stuttgart bulan lalu. - Reuters

Jersi dilelong RM13.85j

JERSI Babe Ruth yang dilelong kelmarin.

NEW YORK - Sehelai jersi besbol yang dipakai oleh pemain pasukan New York Yankess, Babe Ruth dilelong AS$4,415,658 (RM13,850,170) kelmarin.

Firma lelongan SCP Auctions menyatakan, ia merupakan jersi terawal yang pernah dipakai oleh pasukan New York Yankees.

Jersi itu keluaran tahun 1920.

Baju berkenaan yang bertahun-tahun dipamerkan di Muzium Kelahiran Babe Ruth di Baltimore dibeli oleh laman web Lelands.com.

Menurut SCP Auctions, harga itu mengatasi rekod lelongan memorabilia sukan sebelum ini yang dicatat pada 2010 untuk set undang-undang permainan bola keranjang oleh James Naismith. - Agensi