5 Celebrities Who Chose Equity Over Cash

• Equity allows investors to build long-term wealth by holding a stake (the amount of stock an investor owns) within a company. 
• Although the everyday person's finances are not the same as celebrities earning millions of dollars, pop culture and celebrities have long been something many look to for financial motivation. 
• While many celebrities have a reputation for being irresponsible and reckless with their money, some celebrities have chosen to play the long game by opting for equity over cash as a long-term play at building wealth.

"Gimme my check, put some respek on my check

Or pay me in equity (Pay me in equity)

Watch me reverse out of debt (Skrrt)"

"APES--T"

The Carters

When Beyonce says, "Pay me in equity," she is referring to the monetary value that is returned to investors if all of a company's assets are liquidated and debts are paid off. Simply put, equity is calculated by the company's total assets minus its total liabilities. 

Equity allows investors to build long-term wealth by holding a stake, the amount of stock an investor owns, within a company. Of course, being an investor, and particularly an early investor, comes with risk. However, the reward may be significant, which allows investors to accumulate wealth. 

Although the everyday person's finances are not the same as celebrities earning millions of dollars, pop culture and celebrities have long been something many look to for financial motivation. While many celebrities have a reputation for being irresponsible and reckless with their money, here are five stars who chose equity over cash as a long-term play at building wealth.

Beyonce and Uber

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Uber offered Beyonce $6 million in cash to perform at a concert hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2015. However, instead of accepting the money, she decided to receive payment in stocks (equity). Today, Beyonce's stocks are reportedly worth more than $300 million, according to Refinery 29. 

Lebron James and Beats by Dre

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According to a Forbes report, Lebron James is expected to surpass $1 billion in career earnings in 2021. Known as a savvy businessman, Lebron infamously chose equity over cash in a proposed endorsement deal in 2008. The product? It was none other than Dr. Dre's Beats by Dre.

James partnered with Dr. Dre to receive a stake in Beats Electronics in exchange for promoting the top-of-the-line headphones. When Dr. Dre decided to sell his company to Apple in 2014, James reportedly earned $30 million in profit.

David Choe and Facebook

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In 2005, Facebook wanted Graffiti artist David Choe to paint murals in their new Silicon Valley office space. David was given the option between a hefty cash compensation of $60,000 or stock in the company. Choe decided to take the stock. When Facebook went public in 2012, Choe's stock was worth more than $200 million. 

Yes, that $60,000 is now worth $200,000,000!

Stephen Curry and Under Armour

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In 2015, Golden State Warriors player, Stephen Curry, signed a contract with Under Armour. Although all the details of Curry's contract have not been released, Sports Illustrated reported that his deal with Under Armour included him having an equity stake in the company. 

50 Cent and VitaminWater

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In 2004, businessman and rapper 50 Cent was offered a deal by Glacéau (owned by Energy Brands) to leverage his celebrity status to promote VitaminWater. 50 Cent accepted the offer along with a minority stake in the parent company, Energy Brands. In 2007, Coca-Cola bought Energy Brands for $4.1 billion, which allowed 50 Cent to earn $100 million.

Difference between equity and cash 

When investors have equity in a company, it allows them to have partial ownership. For example, Beyonce's decision to take equity instead of cash enabled her to be a partial owner of Uber, which proved to be more valuable than the original cash amount offered.

The phrase "cash is king" is in reference to the immediate access to cash to pay for goods and services. Unlike taking equity, cash is guaranteed. However, the celebrities mentioned above decided to accept all or partial equity instead of "right-now" cash.

When it comes to the everyday person, the option or opportunity to take equity over cash is different from celebrities who may already have a hefty bank account. However, sweat equity over immediate cash can be presented to the everyday person in the form of a startup founder asking you to do some work now for cash later or doing work on a house and getting your payment after the home is sold.

Equity compensation vs. cash compensation risks

There is a risk when it comes to choosing equity over cash. One of those risks includes not knowing whether a stock will rise or fall. The uncertainty is why it's essential to research before investing in anything, whether it's stock, real estate, bonds, or any other financial investment.

However, as the celebrities mentioned, equity compensation was essential in building long-term wealth. Although cash is guaranteed money, there is always a risk with cash. That risk is called inflation. 

Recommended Read: From Gas to Rent, Inflation is on the Rise.

Equity compensation for the everyday person

Many companies may offer their employees equity compensation along with cash compensation. If you decide to accept equity compensation, you will have ownership of the company's assets after any liabilities associated with the company are cleared. Some companies may have a valuation, which is the estimated value of a company's assets, that is worth millions, and some companies could lose all their monetary value. 

The Money Wrap-Up

Whether you decide to take cash compensation or equity compensation, be sure to assess the risk.

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