Kyle Sandilands has revealed he is prepared to put serious money behind an attempt to lure Karl Stefanovic into his growing media empire, floating a whopping $2 million deal for his longtime mate.
Sandilands says he has already sounded out Stefanovic about joining the Kyle Sandilands Live Network to host an afternoon drive program five days a week – and claims the former Today host was more than receptive to the idea.
The revelation came as Sandilands discussed the recent mystery surrounding Stefanovic’s podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, which is supposed to air five days a week but has not been updated since August.
According to Sandilands, however, there is a fairly simple explanation for Stefanovic’s absence.
He said he recently texted his mate asking where he had disappeared to, with Stefanovic reportedly replying that he was away on holiday with his wife and would call when he returned.
But Sandilands then revealed the pair had discussed something potentially much bigger several weeks earlier.
“I have said I’d like Karl to come join this platform and do the afternoon drive show,” Sandilands said.
“I said if I give you $2 million dollars, would you do Monday-Friday drive.”
According to Sandilands, Stefanovic’s response was immediate: “I’ll f**king sign that right now.”
Sandilands admitted there wasn’t exactly a contract waiting on the table, adding that he “didn’t even have a pen” and the proposal was only an idea at that stage.
Still, it could prove to be a significant offer for Stefanovic, whose media career has undergone a dramatic change following his departure from his high-profile television and radio roles.
His independent podcast became a major focus, but its unexplained absence from feeds since August has prompted questions about what Stefanovic might be planning next.
Sandilands believes his mate is unlikely to be sitting idle.
“Karl is very clever,” he said, suggesting Stefanovic may be working on something behind the scenes.
“He knows what he is doing.”
The $2 million proposal also fits with Sandilands’ ambitions for his new venture.
He has spoken about expanding the Kyle Sandilands Live Network beyond his own program, with plans potentially including an afternoon show, a 6pm news bulletin and other content. Veteran broadcaster Ray Hadley has also been mentioned as another big name Sandilands would like to bring into the fold.
And it isn’t the first time the prospect of Sandilands and Stefanovic working together has surfaced.
Earlier this year, domain names including KyleandKarl.com.au and KarlandKyle.com.au were registered by Sandilands’ company, King Kyle, prompting speculation that something was brewing.
Sandilands’ longtime manager Bruno Bouchet later revealed the registrations had been made largely for a laugh after a journalist began asking questions about a possible Kyle-and-Karl partnership.
This time, however, there’s a rather more enticing number attached to the idea.
For now, there is no official deal and Stefanovic has made no public announcement about his next move.
But if Sandilands really does find that missing pen, it sounds as though Karl might be ready to use it.
Images: Instagram
