Radio host Jackie O claims wrongful termination after on-air fight

Jackie "O" Henderson is seeking $82 million from ARN Media, asserting her termination from the top-rating KIIS FM show she co-hosted with Kyle Sandilands was wrongful. Henderson claims she was fired for exercising a workplace right after an on-air argument with Sandilands on February 20.

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That's an allegation of misconduct and bad faith and abuse of a workplace right.

ARN Media, through its subsidiary Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, has launched a counter-claim. The media giant alleges Henderson abused a "workplace right" and acted in bad faith. ARN is seeking damages for breach of contract, lost profits, and advertising revenue, as well as legal costs.

The dispute escalated after the February 20 on-air fight, which reportedly left Henderson close to tears. Following the incident, Henderson informed ARN Media she could no longer work with Sandilands. Both hosts were subsequently terminated in March.

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It's misconduct … but on the scale of misconduct it's not fraud.

Court documents revealed internal messages from ARN Media executives discussing the incident. One message described the situation as "dynamite" because Sandilands was "blowing up the show." Another acknowledged that Henderson's refusal to work with Sandilands gave the company "the most leverage we could get."

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[Sandilands] was blowing up the show

Sandilands reached a settlement with ARN Media in June for $12 million and has since launched a new online show. Henderson's case is scheduled to go to trial in October. Her lawyers have previously stated she faced "ongoing bullying" and was left "psychologically unwell" due to Sandilands's behavior.

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Given she said she wouldn't work with Kyle anymore this was the most leverage we could get.