Vanna White signs 2-year ‘Wheel of Fortune’ deal with ‘substantial pay increase’
Vanna White has agreed to co-host “Wheel of Fortune” for at least two more years — and she will be getting a hefty chunk of change to do so.
According to TMZ, the 66-year-old received a “substantial pay increase” from her current $3 million-per-year salary.
Prior to the recent negotiations, the longtime host had not gotten a raise for nearly two decades.
Despite the agreement, sources told the outlet that the rest of her contract has yet to be settled.
A rep for White did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Meanwhile, Pat Sajak — who announced his departure from the show in June — has reportedly been taking home $15 million per season.
The pair started working together on the game show in 1982 and given their decades-long success, White was reportedly asking for at least half of what Sajak was making.
Insiders told the outlet that White’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, was involved in “very difficult negotiations” with Sony.
In fact, the lawyer was reportedly thinking about filing a gender discrimination lawsuit against Sony due to the massive differences in pay between the two stars — despite their similar roles on the show.
Following Sajak’s departure from the show after the 2023/2024 season, Ryan Seacrest will be taking over for the longtime host.
The “American Idol” host’s new gig reportedly comes with a $28 million salary, making him the highest-paid TV host.
However, it seemed like Seacrest’s hiring also became an issue with White.
In July, sources told the Daily Mail that the longtime letter-turner felt like producers had a “lack of respect” for her by hiring Seacrest without giving her “more of a chance to take over Pat’s job.”
“She wants to stay, but she also wants it to be fair and is going to fight for what she believes in and what she deserves,” the insider explained.
She also allegedly was a bit upset that she “wasn’t able to give her two cents on the replacement.”
“But it just shows a lack of respect in her eyes that they have for her,” the source claimed.
“She wants to be with the show for as long as she wants to be on the show, on her terms. She believes she deserves it.”
Despite her disappointment, the insider claimed that White is “happy to work with” the 48-year-old, who she deeply “respects.”
