The differential CEO dominance-compensation and corporate governance-compensation relations: Pre- and post-SOX

► We examine corporate governance-executive compensation relation, pre- and post-SOX. ► CEO dominance, based on CEO pay, is a nontraditional corporate governance mechanism. ► SOX has changed the relationship between CEO duality and CEO compensation. ► SOX has not changed the CEO dominance-compensation relation. ► SOX does not limit CEO power to obstruct traditional corporate governance mechanisms.