Possible Owner of AAR not able to afford Franken and Rhodes?

[RamboLiberal]

<snip>

According to two sources familiar with the negotiations, Air America is in the final stages of arranging a sale to a small media company, which they declined to name. "My understanding is that everything is done except for the final touches," says one former Air America staffer. "It's a media company—a very small one. I had never heard of it."

Both sources expressed doubt that the new owner could afford to employ Air America's two biggest names—Franken and Randi Rhodes. "There's the question of whether this little company has the money to keep it going," says one source.

"There's no way that their current contracts will continue," says the former staffer. "And the question is, will Franken and Rhodes compromise in order to stay?"

Franken insists he's not paying attention to the turmoil—"I'm Zen-ing it," he says—and he's focused on his upcoming USO tour. And what will he do when he returns? "Fall asleep on the couch." And after that? "I don't know."

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2006/12/the-future-senator-from-minnesota.php

[longship]

1. So, we're gonna get 24 hours a day of Jon Idiot.... er, Elliot.

:kick:

[Maat]

2. Well, I hope Al decides to run ...

and Randi will be on the air somewhere no matter what. So, I'm not worrying. I hope she joins Mike on NovaM!

[sallyseven]

3. There are days that Frankin Annoys me unbearably.

He doesn't listen. Also he made a statement that the last election proved that the machines were not tampered with. HA 18000. tampers did not impress him.

[coffeenap]

4. Could it be NovaM? Wouldn't that be nice? nt

[bullwinkle428]

5. I thought Franken was working on a $1 annual salary, or perhaps that was

just for the first year of AAR's existence? :shrug:

[RiverStone]

6. What I don't understand about this AAR thing...

The rise of AAR over the past 3 years as a counter weight to RW radio seems very important.

There must be a few progressive/liberal philanthropists that could fund this venture in a heartbeat?
Where are they?

I was quite surprised to hear that Al's base salary was eventually negotiated to something like 1.75 million a year? Ummmmmm. Guess its too much to ask Al to take a pay cut, maybe just a million a year?. I know, not my damn business...but compared to regular working folks; how much could it hurt to compromise for the good of the order, and still make TONS of money?

[NYCGirl]

7. If it'll make you feel better, Al hasn't been getting paid for some time. NT

[clbuck]

8. Bah, Air America without Randi is barely worth it.

Without her, AAR is basically worthless (with the possible exception of Thom Hartmann and Sam Seder).