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EXHIBIT 5.1
January 18, 2001
Sprint Capital Corporation
Sprint Corporation
2330 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Westwood, Kansas 66205
Gentlemen:
In connection with the proposed offering, issuance and sale by Sprint
Capital Corporation of Debt Securities (the "Debt Securities") covered by your
Registration Statement (the "462(b) Registration Statement") to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), that relates to your Registration Statement
on Form S-3, File Nos. 333-83577 and 333-83577-01 (together with the 462(b)
Registration Statement, the "Registration Statements"), I have examined the
Registration Statements and such other documents, records and matters as I have
considered necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
The Debt Securities of Sprint Capital Corporation will be unconditionally
guaranteed (the "Guarantees") as to the payment of principal, premium, if any,
and interest by Sprint Corporation.
Based upon such examination, I am of the opinion that when the 462(b)
Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and the Debt
Securities and Guarantees have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered in accordance with the Indenture dated as of October 1, 1998, between
you and Bank One, N.A., as Trustee, as supplemented by the First Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of January 15, 1999 (the "Indenture"), and sold as
contemplated by the Registration Statements, the Debt Securities and Guarantees
will be legally issued and the valid and legally binding obligations of Sprint
Capital Corporation or Sprint Corporation, as the case may be, entitled to the
benefits of the Indenture, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors' rights and to general equity principles.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the 462(b)
Registration Statement and the reference made to me under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus supplement forming a part of the Registration
Statements. In giving such consent, I do not thereby admit that I am in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Michael T. Hyde
Michael T. Hyde
