Multiple rival broadcaster urging Alan Jones to consider offers to leave 2GB

Broadcaster Alan Jones is weighing up “strong overtures” from rival parties keen to hire the radio king as negotiations lag with Macquarie Media over his future. Two callers rang the station pleading the legend to stay and it would “hurt” 2GB if he left.

• No deal: Alan Jones ‘ready for other job offers’
• Radio king Alan Jones may leave 2GB as contract talks falter

Broadcaster Alan Jones is weighing up “strong overtures” from rival parties keen to hire the radio king as negotiations lag with Macquarie Media over his future.

Jones’s contract expires on June 30, with no deal as yet reached over his future at 2GB.

Talkback callers to the station on Monday sounded the dramatic warning they would stop listening if Jones was to depart.

Jones would not comment when contacted, but The Daily Telegraph has learned he has been urged by multiple rival broadcasters to consider ongoing offers to leave 2GB.

This newspaper revealed Jones was in discussions with Sky News in March.

Negotiations over Alan Jones future with Macquarie Media has lagged. Picture: AAP Image/John Gass

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Supporters of Jones said they considered it disrespectful that the negotiations with 2GB over his contract had lagged.

It is understood Jones is still urging those on his team to “crank out the best program” every morning as the negotiations go on.

The latest radio ratings are due out today and are expected to point to another Jones win.

It comes as Nine Entertainment is expected to finalise the sale of 170 regional and community newspapers this week, which will pave the way to lock in a deal with the Macquarie Radio network.

Nine is believed to want Jones to stay on at the station.

The veteran broadcaster has been told by rivals to consider fielding opportunities to leave 2GB.

In an extraordinary piece of broadcast on Monday morning, two callers contacted the Jones program and were aired saying it would hurt the station if the radio legend left.

“Your show is unique. Alan Jones is unique. There is no fill-in or substitute for you. When you left 2UE we all came with you. We are still with you. If for some reason you move somewhere else, if you’re not here, we’re not here,” regular listener Stephanie said.

Jones replied: “Thank you very much Stephanie. I’m flattered. As they say in the scriptures, no comment.”

A spokesman for Macquarie Media said that there would be no comment on the Jones saga while negotiations are ongoing.