Kyle Sandilands 'preparing to sue' radio network as he pushes for $88 million payout amid collapse of his top-rated show: 'Called in lawyers'

Kyle Sandilands is safeguarding his contract against termination, according to a new report. 

The radio titan has 'called in lawyers' and is 'preparing to sue' ARN should his $100 million contract be terminated following the collapse of KIIS FM's The Kyle and Jackie O Show, The Australian reported on Thursday. 

Sandilands, 51, is reportedly seeking a payout for the remainder of that contract, on which he has eight years and $88 million remaining. 

The shock jock was accused of 'serious misconduct' after his spectacular on-air clash with co-star Jackie 'O' Henderson, leading to Henderson quitting the show. 

Sandilands is said to have been 'caught completely off-guard' by the misconduct allegation as he had been given free rein on the air, with two full-time censors employed by The Kyle and Jackie O Show to ensure he is safeguarded. 

The radio star will argue that ARN has no justifiable cause to terminate his contract as the network had promised to be fully liable for his on-air comments, the publication reports. 

A source tells The Australian that Sandilands would agree to leave his top-rated breakfast program only if he was compensated with, 'the full $100 million he is owed less what he has already been paid'.  

Sandilands and Henderson signed a 10-year deal with Australian Radio Network (ARN) in 2023.

They were paid a reported $200 million in that landmark negotiation and earned approximately $47,000 per episode. 

KIIS FM's parent company ARN announced on Tuesday that Henderson's $100 million contract has been terminated after she told executives she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' following his harsh comments on-air that left her in tears.

Sandilands has been suspended and given 14 days to 'remedy' the breach, or else faces termination.

ARN provided written notice to Sandilands stating that it considers his behaviour during the show on February 20 'an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN's services agreement with Quasar Media'.

The KIIS breakfast show will be taken off-air immediately, with 'interim arrangements made for the show'.

ARN has offered Henderson the possibility of an alternative show on the network.

A representative for Kyle Sandilands declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail.

Henderson, 51, had been AWOL from the Kyle & Jackie O show since Friday, 20 February, after Sandilands accused her of being unfocused at work.

During the on-air feud, Henderson broke down in tears when the pair were discussing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Sandilands got angry at her when she proceeded to read out the disgraced royal's birth chart.

He lambasted his co-star, claiming that her love for astrology was affecting her work.

When Henderson attempted to defend herself and accused him of launching an attack on her, he stated he was only expressing the 'facts'.

Meanwhile, it was reported on Thursday that Sandilands was left 'blindsided' by Henderson's departure from The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Leaked text messages between the feuding radio co-stars reveal that Kyle attempted to apologise - but was shut down. 

Sandilands texted his co-host: 'Sorry for anything I said that didn't go down well,' news.com.au claimed on Thursday. 

Kyle also reportedly told Jackie that he 'loved' and 'cared' for her.

Jackie replied, informing Kyle that he had 'crossed a line' and that his comments to her, in which he slammed her as unfocused on her work live on air, were 'wrong and low'.

Henderson then told Kyle she was taking a break from the show, and 'wanted him to hear it from her, not management.'

Over the next week, Kyle did not hear from Jackie, but fully expected her to return to work, the news.com.au source claimed.

The radio titan was left 'blindsided' and 'feeling betrayed' when Jackie's resignation from their top-rated breakfast show was announced on Tuesday, the publication alleges.