[botro]

I read the article on archive and figured there was a big chunk missing. It really does not make any sense.

Sutskever and Murati were methodical, they waited until the board was favorable to the outcome they wanted, engaged with board members individually laying the groundwork... and then just changed their mind when it actually happened!?

[jdminhbg]

The article says Sutskever was blindsided by the rank-and-file being on Sam's side. Presumably he thought the outcome was going to be business as more-or-less usual but with Murati or someone as CEO and then panicked when that didn't happen.

[ethbr1]

Or someone said "If you don't switch and back me, I am going to fight every bit of your compensation. Or you can back me and leave with favorable terms."

Panic is a less likely driver.