Dodgers Settle With Former COO For $1M, Pending Court Approval

The Dodgers have struck a $1M settlement with former COO Geoffrey Wharton, pending approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Wharton had been hired in '09 to lead efforts for a now-stalled $500M ballpark renovation project before moving into the COO role in late '10. The club cut ties with Wharton last year, and the settlement represents two years of deferred bonuses.

Meanwhile, the deadline to submit bids to buy the Dodgers has been extended by 10 days to Jan. 23. The club said the shift is not related to last month's U.S. District Court decision granting FSN a stay blocking the Dodgers from marketing their TV rights as part of the sale, pending a Jan. 12 appeal hearing. Outgoing owner Frank McCourt still must sell the team by April 30 as part of his settlement with MLB.