In the late 1970s, Eychaner founded Metrowest Corporation, which would eventually become Newsweb, which prints a wide variety of newspapers. It was in 1982 that, through Metrowest, he launched Chicago television stationWPWR-TV Channel 50 in Chicago. It was also in 1982 that, alongsideChicago White Sox ownersJerry Reinsdorf andEddie Einhorn, he was involved in the launching of the subscription sports television serviceSportsvision. The service was sold toCablevision in 1984, which converted it into a basic cable service. In 2002, WPWR was sold toFox Television Stations for a reported $425 million. Then, in 2005, through Newsweb, he launched Chicago radio stationWCPT (820 AM), branded as Chicago's Progressive Talk.[2]
He is President of the charitable organization Alphawood Foundation which granted theSchool of Oriental and African Studies,University of London £20m in 2013.[15] Eychaner has given the Clinton Foundation more than $25 million.[16] He is also credited with getting the long-delayed FDR Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in New York finally constructed.[17]
In November 2013, Alphawood announced a $2 million matching grant to help jumpstart construction of theBloomingdale Trail in Chicago.[18]
Wrightwood 659 in 2019
Eychaner commissioned architectTadao Ando to design his house in Chicago, which was completed in 1997, and theWrightwood 659 gallery next door, which officially opened in 2018.[19]
He has been a top Democratic donor for several cycles and in the 2012 election cycle was the top donor to Democratic Super PACs, giving more than $14 million.[2][20]
He serves on the board of the Joffrey Ballet,[21] and of the Art Institute of Chicago.[22] He is also a trustee of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.[23]
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