Sprint plans big bonuses for executives who stay on through Nextel merger.

By David Hayes, The Kansas City Star, Mo. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jan. 22--Sprint Corp. disclosed Friday that it will give millions of dollars in bonuses to 800 top managers who stay with the company through its planned merger with Nextel Communications.

All but two top managers will receive special cash payments equal to their annual salary and short-term bonus if they're still working for the company a year after the merger is completed and the company's local phone operation is spun off as a stand-alone company.

Gary Forsee, Sprint's chairman and chief executive, and Len Lauer, Sprint's president and chief operating officer, are …