Kyle declares dispute ‘pretty ugly’ as he arrives at court in Rolls-Royce
watch I’m listening live here starting at 10.15 in the morning through the Federal Court.
Kyle Sandilands arrived at the Federal Court of Australia in a black Rolls-Royce and described his legal dispute with KIIS network owner ARN Media as “pretty ugly”.
The former top radio presenter told an intense media scrum on Friday morning that he wanted to resolve the dispute to return to air and boost ARN’s share price, ahead of a dual procedural hearing for his and former co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s case.
Ever the showman, Sandilands drove off the field in his luxury vehicle with license plate KS20 and entered the building, followed by dozens of reporters, photographers and cameramen. “Today is procedure day, no fun today,” he said.
Sandilands said she had not spoken to Henderson since their dramatic on-air split in February and admitted to reporters things were “pretty ugly anyway”. “Get me back on the radio. Let’s get the stock prices up again,” he said.
The Federal Court in Sydney today also hosts other high-profile cases, including the consumer watchdog’s lawsuit against Woolworths and a defamation case against actor Rebel Wilson.
ARN tore up Henderson’s contract in early March this year after allegedly refusing to work with him due to his behavior towards Sandilands. Two weeks later, he also canceled his contract after failing to “correct” what he said was serious misconduct towards his former co-host of 25 years, stemming from his on-air and off-air behavior.
Soon after, both stars sued the company, making separate attempts to recoup most of the $200 million contracts they signed, which began 14 months earlier.
When ARN submitted its defense to the court on both matters on Tuesday this week, this imprint also revealed that the company had sued both former employees and their private companies with a pair of counterclaims, citing loss of income and profits as a result of the show imploding, largely due to alleged “systemic bullying” of Henderson on Sandilands’ behalf.
Sandilands’ 2004 Series 1 Rolls-Royce Phantom is worth around $1 million by some estimates.
More to come.
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Kishor Napier-Raman is senior business writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. He previously worked as a CBD columnist and reporter in the federal parliament press gallery.Connect with: X or email.
Calum Jaspan is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect with: X or email.
