David Gyngell & TEN a perfect match?

Here are two names we didn’t expect to see in the one sentence: David Gyngell and TEN.

But the latest speculation about the network’s future surrounds US-based debt giant Oaktree talking to Byron Bay-based Nine director about an unusual union.

The Australian Financial Review suggests Oaktree, which was a key part of Nine’s recapitalisation, approached him as one of 9 suitors for control of TEN.

But Gyngell, who these days is an investor in Balter Brewery, Hotel Brunswick and retail stores, reportedly has no interest in becoming a CEO in broadcast media. However AFR suggests he is open to getting involved should the right investment opportunity come across the table.

Nine remains in Gyngell’s DNA for obvious legacy reasons, and he remains on their board. Still, even Seven’s Kerry Stokes has had shares in TEN, along with WIN’s Bruce Gordon. If there are opportunities to be made, stranger things have happened…

TEN’s deadline for bids has been pushed out from mid-August until late August, to give bidders more time.

CBS and New York hedge fund Anchorage Capital Group are also among the nine interested parties, with CBS reportedly prepared to take equity in exchange for cutting the cost of its programming contract.