Las Vegas Sands' Leven gains $71.3M from stock options

— -- Las Vegas Sands resorts and casino executive Michael Leven hit the compensation jackpot in 2011.

Leven, the company's president since 2009, gained $71.3 million exercising previously awarded stock options. That's on top of $23.5 million in compensation, including $3 million in salary, a $17 million stock award and $3.2 million in incentive compensation. Leven, 74, also received more than $360,000 for personal use of corporate aircraft and country club dues.

Sands' longtime CEO, Sheldon Adelson, received compensation valued at $13.9 million, including personal security valued at $2.6 million.

The compensation packages were disclosed in a Friday proxy filing, just two days after the company posted a 31% rise in first quarter revenue and a 90% surge in earnings. The company's shares are up 55% from their 52-week close.

Leven's compensation is among the biggest reported so far this proxy season, reflecting Wall Street's comeback, the resurgent economy and the boon to many corporate executives. More than a dozen have reported compensation packages valued at $50 million or more, levels unmatched at publicly held companies for more than a decade.

Among 2011's compensation winners:

• Apple CEO Tim Cook, who received a restricted stock grant valued at $376 million. Based on Friday's close, Cook's shares are now worth $603 million.

• Priceline ( PCLN) CEO Jeffery Boyd — $78 million, including a $52.6 million gain from exercising stock options, $16.4 million from previously awarded shares that vested and pay and equity awards worth $9 million.

• Occidental Petroleum Chairman Ray Irani — $80.4 million, including $8.7 million in previously awarded shares that vested in 2011, a $26 million payout from an earlier stock grant and a $19 million incentive award.

• CBS' Leslie Moonves — $69.9 million, including a $27.5 million bonus and options grant valued at $27.3 million, $24.2 million exercising previously awarded options and a $27.4 million gain from vested shares.

• Tyco International's Ed Breen — $68.9 million, including stock and option gains worth $52.4 million.