Air America: Re-Enter The Drobnys

Anshell is back in the picture...

Area couple may acquire Air America

The Highland Park couple that founded the precursor to Air America Radio before selling most of it to a group of investors are in negotiations to gain control of the troubled liberal talk network, sources said Thursday.

Sources familiar with the negotiations said Sheldon and Anita Drobny want to buy--with the aid of at least one major new investor--a majority stake in the company.

"A possible acquisition is imminent," said one party involved in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, the network is showing signs of financial strain following the ouster of chairman and investor Evan Cohen last week.

The network shut down its Chicago and Los Angeles offices Monday, laying off about 15 to 20 salespeople.

One Air America source said the Chicago sales staff still is owed two weeks' pay.

The source also said that Chicago staffers were never enrolled in a health insurance plan, though Air America promised coverage and deducted health insurance premiums from their paychecks.

Air America President Jon Sinton said the network will correct any mistakes it may have made.

"At the end of the day, we're not going to let anybody go unpaid," Sinton said.

"We'll make good on whatever may be out there. If health coverage has lapsed, it will be restored."