Kyle Sandilands offers streaker a job after he was sacked by rival network
A radio sales account manager who was sacked by Austereo after stripping naked and running across the field during the Eels v Wests Tigers NRL game has been offered a lifeline by controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands.
NSW
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Controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands has offered a lifeline to streaker Matthew Cooper, who was sacked from a rival station after running naked across a footy field during a rugby league game.
Sandilands described 34-year-old Cooper as “exactly” the kind of person he’d like to work with after the incident at Parramatta’s Bankwest Stadium during the final moments of the Eels v Wests Tigers NRL match on Sunday evening.
“I’m a big believer in people not being defined by one moment in their lives, particularly when it’s out of the office,” Sandilands told The Daily Telegraph.
“I can’t think of anything that’s more Australian than streaking. If that’s all he’s done, he’s welcome to come over to KIIS and work for us.”
Sandilands continued: “I’m a big believer in supporting people when they’re going through a rough patch, not kicking them while they’re down and throwing them out the door. Companies should treat their staff more like family and less like numbers on a spreadsheet.”
The offer comes after Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) confirmed Cooper no longer worked for the station earlier today.
Cooper was attending the game on a complimentary ticket he obtained through his employer as SCA holds radio broadcast rights for some fixtures.
Cooper had to be wrestled to the ground by security in front of more than 24,000 fans after he set out on his nudie run from the southeastern grandstand.
Police were called and issued him with an on-the-spot court attendance notice for wilful and obscene exposure, which carries a sentence of up to six months in jail on conviction, as well as a lesser charge under the pitch invasions Act.
The national sales manager for 2Day FM and Triple M parent company SCA is due to front court next month.
It is understood Cooper allegedly took off his clothes, save for his sneakers, before hiding behind a Channel 9 cameraman and sprinting on to the field.
On Monday, Cooper had to face the music with management at SCA, as he held discussions with the HR department.
Today, SCA issued a statement confirming he was no longer an employee.
“We have conducted and completed a thorough investigation of this incident and taken appropriate action,” an SCA spokeswoman told The Daily Telegraph.
“We do not disclose confidential information relating to employment matters.”
Bankwest Stadium, Sydney’s newest ground, has been lauded for seating fans closer to the action and it is understood officials were furious Cooper took advantage of his position to sneak past security.
“Bankwest Stadium is assessing security requirements and working with NSW Police, clubs and codes to raise awareness about the impact of pitch invasions to players, staff and officials,” a stadium spokesman said on Monday.
“Pitch invasions put player safety at risk and the interruption to play can adversely affect the outcome of the game.”
The streaker’s bare cheeks even caught TV commentators Andrew Johns and Ray Warren off guard.
“And we’ve got a streaker on the field. Where’s the binoculars?” Johns said.
Warren responded: “You don’t want to look.”
When contacted, league great Johns added: “The only tip I would give to any streaker is don’t streak when it is cold.”
Originally published as Kyle Sandilands offers streaker a job after he was sacked by rival network
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