Sandilands meets with new Nine Radio owner in public display of defection
Although Sandilands has met with 2GB's new owner, it's unlikely to rattle the stations' breakfast host Ben Fordham, who has constantly beaten the Kyle and Jackie O show in the ratings (Photo: 2GB)
Kyle Sandilands and his manager Bruno Bouchet hosted a meeting with the new owner of Nine’s talkback radio stations over the weekend, predictably setting off tabloid rumours that he is looking to join 2GB, following his public suspension from ARN.
Sandilands welcomed Stu Laundy, whose family recently bought Nine’s radio assets, to his North Sydney office on Saturday morning. Rather than buzz his guest up, Sandilands chose to warmly greet the youngest Laundy sibling in front of the building — and in front of waiting paparazzi, who duly sold the footage and snaps to the Daily Telegraph. Laundy was carrying a notebook, to add to the illusion.
While this is undoubtedly a negotiation stunt to put the squeeze on ARN, who suspended Sandilands alleging breach of contract following a February 20 on-air fracas with co-host Jackie Henderson, it also suggests a legitimate next option for Sandilands, whose strong views would be at home on Sydney’s 2GB.
During a November 2025 radio show, when discussing the pair’s negotiating tactics for the historic $200m, ten-year deal with ARN, Sandilands said he threatened bosses he would go to “the AMs”.
Click to read Tim Burrowes timeline of the Kyle and Jackie O dispute.
The Laundy family, which owns and operates hundreds of hotels and pubs across Australia, paid $56m for Sydney’s 2GB, Melbourne’s 3AW, Brisbane’s 4BC and Perth’s 6PR, and takes control of the stations next month.
When asked by paparazzi about the purpose of his meeting with Sandilands, Laundy joked he was “just trying to get him into the Bulldogs family fold, I still think he has some playing years ahead of him.”
Laundy Hotels is a major sponsor of the Canterbury Bulldogs NRL team.
Tuesday marks the end of the 14-day period given to Sandilands by ARN to “remedy” the alleged breach of his contract.
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