ESA top dawg Michael Gallagher took home more than $800,000 in cash and prizes in his first year on the job, GamePolitics reports.
That compensation package came in an IRS filing covering April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008, so it precedes the 25 percent decline in ESA membership, and the fun-size, booth-babeless E3 of last year. However, the jacking of membership fees and other conditions that created both lowlights were in place before Gallagher came aboard. GamePolitics also points out ESRB President Patricia Vance earned more than $500,000 in salary.
Considering the ESA spent $42 million to lobby for a $22 billion industry, this kind of compensation doesn't seem out of proportion. Still, it's a nice paycheck, and good work if you can find it.
Nice Work If You Can Get It: ESA, ESRB Heads Make the Big Bucks [GamePolitics]