How do I protect my VTSAX investment if we work goes public and is included in the basket??

By doing nothing because you will have less than a basis point of WeWork exposure.

This. And they might not put it in the basket. IIRC there is talk that dual-ownership-stock co's are usually debated on whether they go in the basket for obvious (which, let's be honest, WeWork will do, cuz it's hip).

Also, want some more downside protection but want to bet on the market? Check out Fidelity's contrafund.

The whole point of owning something like VTSAX/VTI is that you're not overly exposed to any company. They currently own 3,607 different stocks.

VWUSX is the only one who has bought IPOs (Uber and Lyft) in the past. VTSAX usually only dips in technology for large companies.

Buy a complementary short position, or convert to a less total market index, or don't worry about it because it would be a miniscule portion of VTSAX.

The whole point of VTSAX is that you don't have to worry about how well any one company does.

I think their IPO will be dangerous for them... the myth of their inflated valuation will be gone, and they won’t be able to raise money.