Updated ,first published
Kyle Sandilands claims he has โmany optionsโ but has not heard from his employer just hours before the expiration of a 14-day deadline set by KIIS owner ARN for the controversial broadcaster to repair his relationship with his co-host, Jackie โOโ Henderson, or have his $100 million contract torn up.
Sandilands emerged from his Vaucluse mansion on Tuesday afternoon dressed in a grey blazer and black T-shirt to address a media scrum before heading to a live taping of Australian Idol, declaring his listeners wanted him back on air.
โI canโt say too much because I havenโt heard anything yet,โ Sandilands said. โI still want to do the show. The listeners want me back on doing the show.โ
Sandilands said he couldnโt predict what will happen with ARN, which has remained silent over the two-week period since it suspended the host for alleged โserious misconductโ after he berated his co-host Jackie โOโ Henderson on air last month.
As his manager, Bruno Bouchet, appeared to film Sandilands with an action camera and journalists peppered him with questions, the broadcaster answered questions for less than a minute before departing. Despite having a luxury car parked in front of his residence, Sandilands left in a black van.
ARNโs board is expected to meet early on Wednesday, after the expiration of the midnight deadline set by the company.
The board will then consider whether Sandilands has remedied the matter, and what further action it can take, including whether it will terminate Sandilandsโ contract as it did with Hendersonโs earlier in the month.
Hendersonโs contract was torn up after she told the company via her lawyers that she could not continue working with Sandilands. Both were signed to 10-year deals in 2023, requiring them to deliver The Kyle & Jackie O Show for a combined $200 million. Without Henderson, Sandilands will also be unable to deliver this show.
Asked about reports he would try to buy into KIISโ parent company, ARN, Sandilands responded: โThere are many options, thatโs all Iโll say.โ
Sandilands was photographed meeting Stuart Laundy this week, part of the family which recently agreed to purchase talkback stations including 2GB and 3AW from Nine, the owner of this masthead.
Stuart Laundyโs brother Craig, a former Liberal MP, led the familyโs purchase of the radio network alongside their father, Arthur.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority imposed extra licence conditions on ARN on Monday after it found Sandilands and Henderson had repeatedly breached decency rules, complicating any potential purchase linked to the broadcaster.
Calum Jaspan is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect via X or email.
Ellie Busby is a Parramatta reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
