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A report has emerged suggesting it was the former CEO of the Australian Radio Network (ARN), Ciaran Davis, who helped broker a settlement with Kyle Sandilands.
The radio shock jock, 55, was just months away from a blockbuster trial in Federal Court over his $100 million contract when he accepted a deal with the broadcaster.
ARN chairman Hamish McLennan was said to have enlisted Davis's help to bring Sandilands to the table, according to News.com.au on Friday.
'Because I worked with Kyle for 14 years and worked with the board for 16 years, they asked if I could help,' Davis told the publication.
'There's an element of trust from a board perspective, and a trust with Kyle… they asked if I could help navigate a position out.'
Davis originally signed Sandilands and co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson to a 10-year, $200 million contract which made Australian media history in 2023.
A report has emerged suggesting it was the former CEO of the Australian Radio Network (ARN), Ciaran Davis (pictured), who helped broker a settlement with Kyle Sandilands, 55
The former ARN managing director said he had 'several meetings' with Sandilands and his long-time manager Bruno Bouchet.
During these meetings, which were done free of charge 'out of good will', they discussed 'things that could be done' to prevent a Federal Court case.
'I'm not claiming credit. I think one of the reasons I was asked to get involved was because I'm trusted by both parties,' Davis said.
However, insiders close to Davis and The Kyle & Jackie O Show are said to see it differently, reported News.com.au.
'He's the hero. It was a masterstroke to pull Ciaran back in,' a source told the publication of the decision to enlist Davis's help.
Meanwhile, a court date has been set for the legal stoush between Henderson, 51, and ARN over her $100 million contract.
The radio star is set to kick off her court battle against ARN on October 12 after launching a Fair Work claim against the network in April.
An interlocutory hearing - a proceeding that focuses on resolving specific procedural issues - will be held on August 24.
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The radio shock jock was just months away from a blockbuster trial in Federal Court over his $100 million contract when he accepted a deal with the broadcaster
It is understood that Henderson will be forced to undergo a medical examination as part of her legal action against ARN.
According to court documents released last Thursday, the examination is 'to be conducted by a suitably qualified medical expert to be selected by' ARN.
The radio host's former employer is then required to file an affidavit from their chosen expert on August 6, reported The Daily Telegraph.
Henderson launched a Fair Work claim against ARN in April after her radio contract was torn up following a heated on-air argument with ex co-host Sandilands.
She has alleged that ARN failed to provide her a safe workplace and minimise the psychosocial risks after she made several complaints against Sandilands.
Her camp confirmed this week they will continue with the court case, despite Sandilands recently settling with ARN for $12.09 million.
Henderson's bid for an $82 million payout is now facing renewed scrutiny, with insiders suggesting she could walk away with less than Sandilands if she settles.
Sandilands' reduced settlement, which includes $1.5 million in advertising contra, has reset expectations around what ARN may be willing to pay as Henderson continues her Federal Court fight.
ARN chairman Hamish McLennan was said to have enlisted Davis's help to bring Sandilands to the table. Pictured: Sandilands and former co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson
The shock jock's payout is understood to reflect roughly a year's salary under his contract, which reportedly included a multimillion-dollar base fee plus a $1 million sign-on bonus and a $3 million one-off fee.
Henderson's contract with ARN may not include such add-ons, meaning that if she does settle, her payout would more likely land between $7.5 million and $10 million.
Henderson is suing ARN for wrongful termination, alleging her dismissal contravened the Fair Work Act.
At the centre of the dispute is ARN's claim that Henderson herself initiated the end of The Kyle & Jackie O Show after raising 'psychosocial health and safety and bullying complaints' about Sandilands.
Henderson has rejected this, insisting she did not resign despite ARN previously stating she had given notice she could no longer work with her co-host.
The two sides also remain at odds over whether an alternative program was ever offered to Henderson, a claim her legal team denies.
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