According to documents viewed by the WSJ, a negotiation team made up of three members of the board began preparing a contingency plan in early September, to use in the event that Zuckerberg refused to back down from his compensation demands. That standby plan reportedly included “resignation from the board” by the negotiation team as a last resort.

Conceptually the CEO has to answer to the board, and the board acts in the interest of the shareholders.

Somehow the board’s major card to play here is that of negotiations fail then members of the board will resign. How that applies any pressure or leverage against Zuckerberg remains unclear.

Acquiesce to my demands or I will leave quietly and stop bugging you.