Kyle Sandilands has launched legal action against Kiis FM licensee Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), claiming he suffered humiliation and loss of reputation after being sacked for serious misconduct. The shock jock and his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson were terminated from their top-rating breakfast show last month, a year into separate 10-year contracts worth $100 million.
In court documents filed in the federal court, Sandilands' legal team argues that the termination was invalid as no act of serious misconduct occurred. The contract allowed CBC to terminate if Sandilands committed an act of serious misconduct affecting the program, but the incident cited—an on-air argument with Henderson over astrology on 20 February 2026—lasted only 20 minutes on a single day and did not constitute persistent conduct, according to the claim.
Sandilands was given 14 days to remedy the situation but was terminated minutes after the deadline, depriving him of the remaining $85 million he would have earned. The claim states that Sandilands suffered humiliation and loss of reputation due to the suggestion that his conduct justified termination.
Court documents from Henderson's separate case reveal she had texted the network head five months prior, complaining that listeners perceived her relationship with Sandilands as abusive. Sandilands maintains he fulfilled all contract conditions, including using best endeavours to provide an entertaining program and acting as a key ambassador.
Sandilands seeks a court declaration that his termination was invalid and damages for economic and non-economic loss. Under the agreement, his company Quasar was entitled to $7.4 million in cash annually, plus fees and allowances. The respondents must file a defence by 21 April, with a case management hearing set for 24 April.
