An ESOP can be an effective tax-advantaged means of creating shareholder liquidity. At the same time, the ESOP provides an additional benefit for employees. But the ongoing payoff of the ESOP is based on its ability to align stakeholder interests. The ESOP has the potential to be the foundation for long-term growth in company value that will benefit all shareholders.Reprinted with permission from: Employee Stock Ownership PlansThe Beyster Institute at the Rady School of Management, University of California, San Diego Copyright 2007.