Sacked radio king Kyle Sandilands has declared he just wants to get “back to work” after he fronted court for the first time in his high-stakes legal showdown with ARN over his torn-up $100 million contract.
Kyle Sandilands has declared he just wants to get back on the airwaves after he fronted court for the first time in his high-stakes legal battle against ARN Media.
The first hearing of Sandilands’ legal showdown was held in the Federal Court on Friday, a month after his $100 million contract was terminated following an on-air bust-up with co-host Jackie “O” Henderson.
Sandilands, 54, arrived at the courthouse just before 9am for a case management hearing before Justice Angus Stewart.
The father-of-one was flanked by his high-profile legal team, which includes his barrister Scott Robertson SC, as he entered the media-packed courtroom on level 18.
Kyle Sandilands has been off the airwaves for about a month. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, the freshly fired KIIS FM radio star expressed his eagerness to get back to work “on Monday”.
“I just want to get back to work or get back earning. I’ve got a family, I’ve got mortgages to pay like everyone else,” he told reporters.
Asked about the legal dispute, Sandilands said he was happy with the case his team had put forward in court.
“We are happy that what we’re putting forward is going to be well received,” he said.
“I told the judge today, or they (my lawyers) told him – we’re happy to go back on Monday.”
A large media pack swarmed the radio star as he left the Federal Court. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short
During the hearing on Friday, Sandilands’ barrister argued for his client’s case to be expedited and the radio host was happy to “get back on air as soon as possible”.
“My case is fairly confined. It concerns 20 minutes of conduct on one day… and the question of whether or not that amounts to serious misconduct… of the broadcasting services agreement,” Mr Robertson said.
Mr Robertson told the court his client was eager and capable to turn up to work on Monday and “continue” to do his show.
The legal stoush centres on the abrupt termination of Sandilands’ contract following an explosive on-air clash with Henderson on February 20 during their radio show.
Sandilands has argued he is owed the remaining $88 million from his deal, claiming the incident fell within the provocative style he was employed to deliver.
ARN, however, has alleged the behaviour has amounted to serious misconduct.
Sandilands has claimed the termination of his contract is invalid because no serious misconduct occurred.
In court, ARN’s barrister Tom Blackburn SC said his client did not accept Sandilands’ reasoning for the case to be fast-tracked.
Mr Blackburn argued against “the premise” of the application for formal expedition that Sandilands’ “goodwill and notoriety are wasting away” each day he is not on air.
He told the court the prospect of Sandilands achieving this desire and gaining the relief he seeks is effectively “nil”.
“This is in substance just a claim for a debt,” he said.
Kyle Sandilands’ legal action started in Sydney’s Federal Court on Friday. Picture Thomas Lisson / NCA
Addressing his heated argument with Henderson outside court, Sandilands maintained that the on-air blue was nothing unusual to what has happened between the pair in the past.
“It feels like I didn’t do anything different than I’ve been doing for 25 years,” he said.
“Actually, a little bit looked tamer than most days because I was actually quite concerned that she (Henderson) was feeling good and everything was okay.
“An argument did happen – I think it was quite tame compared to how they’ve been before. And it would’ve been something that would’ve been over and done with the next day, and the show would’ve cruised on like normal.”
Asked if he would go back to his now-former employer ARN, Sandilands said: “I’m ready to get back to work with the contract I’ve got at ARN”.
During the heated exchange, Sandilands told Henderson she was “off with the fairies”, prompting her to walk out mid-show.
She later told him she would “never say things like that” about him. His contract was terminated shortly afterwards.
Speaking earlier to reporters, Sandilands said the last couple of weeks had been “traumatic”.
“I’m just happy that we can get in today and get the ball rolling. I just want to get back to work as quickly as possible. I’ve got a family to support,” he said, before saying “wish me luck” as he entered the building.
The judge has provisionally reserved hearing dates from June 22 to June 26.
A further case management hearing has been listed for April 24.