Controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands is gearing up for his initial court appearance, where a $100 million contract dispute hangs in the balance.

The renowned shock jock has taken legal action against his former employer, ARN, in the Federal Court. Sandilands argues that his contract’s termination was unwarranted, as it was not based on any serious misconduct.

Additionally, he contends that the termination violated Australian Consumer Law.

Kyle Sandilands’ statement in full

ARN has just declared the end of my contract.

My legal team informed them last week that such an action would be invalid. And as it turns out, they were right.

Allow me to clarify the situation. Jackie and I had a disagreement live on air—a scenario that has played out countless times over our 25-year partnership. However, ARN escalated the situation unnecessarily. They terminated Jackie and suspended me. They even restricted my communication with her and the rest of the team. Then, astonishingly, after creating an environment where continuing the show was impossible, they blamed me for not resolving it and fired me!

I said sorry to Jackie the night of our blow-up. And when I said I was sorry to Jackie, I meant it. I still mean it. But it doesn’t mean I will stand by while I am separated from the people who’ve listened to me every morning for 25 years.

Before they suspended me, ARN said, “Let us handle it,” and I listened. In the two weeks since, I’ve done everything ARN asked. I said, put me back on air. I’ll work with Jackie. I’ll work with someone else. Whatever you need. Every single time – “no.” They weren’t interested. They didn’t want to fix this. They thought they saw a chance to get out of the contract they signed with me a year ago, and they ran with it.

ARN knew exactly what they were getting when they signed my deal. They’ve worked with me for over a decade. They knew how I work, they knew the show, and they were happy to pay for it —because I delivered. Number one ratings. Year after year. Hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for their business. I held up my end. I always have.

So, you tell me — why would ARN prefer to breach a contract and pay the legal consequences rather than honour the contract and pay me to do what I do best? That’s the bit that doesn’t make sense.

I’ve got a contract until 2034. I’ve got rights under that contract. And ARN hasn’t honoured the contract.

So, it’s over to my lawyers.

To the people who tune in every morning — you lot are the reason I’ve done this for 25 years. You didn’t get a say in this. Neither did I. But my lawyers will. I’m not done. Not by a long way.

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