Mets, Jeff Wilpon settle discrimination suit by ex-exec

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Mets and chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have settled a discrimination lawsuit brought by a former top team executive who claimed she was fired because she had a child without being married.

The club and former senior vice president of ticket sales Leigh Castergine issued a vaguely worded joint statement Friday announcing the end of the Brooklyn federal court lawsuit.

The statement said the lawsuit "will result in the organization being more attentive to the important issues raised by women in sports." But it offered no examples of how that might be so.

It also said the club was committed to the encouragement of female executives. And it added that both sides would have no further comments.

Castergine sued the Mets and Wilpon for unspecified damages last year, saying she was fired after enduring insults and humiliation.

She alleged that Wilpon told senior executives he was "morally opposed" to her having a baby while unmarried.

The Mets and Wilpon - the son of controlling owner Fred Wilpon - said in court papers filed after the lawsuit that Castergine was fired for legitimate business reasons.

Castergine was hired in December 2010 as vice president of ticket sales and service. She said she was subjected to discrimination after learning she was pregnant in August 2013.