When Wheel of Fortune’s forty first season premieres in September, every part will seem because it has for the final 4 a long time — with Pat Sajak because the host and Vanna White flipping the letters on the sport present’s huge board. Subsequent yr, nonetheless, Sajak will take his depart, and White’s future remains to be up within the air, as she’s reportedly combating Sony to obtain her first pay increase in 18 years. Stories have indicated she’s asking that her wage be elevated to $7.5 million yearly — half of her colleague’s reported take-home pay — nonetheless, new sources allege that she may very well have a a lot bigger quantity in thoughts.
Vanna White has lawyered up to safe her place as Wheel of Fortune’s co-host when Pat Sajak retires on the finish of the upcoming season, and that features asking for a pay bump. White, who has labored on the basic sport present for 41 years, reportedly makes $3 million a yr, not together with bonuses. Sajak, in the meantime, allegedly makes 5 instances as a lot at $15 million. Stories have indicated she’s seeking to make half of that, and whereas that might greater than double her present earnings, a supply for Individuals indicated her staff sees $7.5 million as insultingly low. The insider stated:
50 p.c of Pat’s wage is so outrageous that nobody of their proper thoughts may say that it’s truthful. The negotiation is asking for rather more than 50 p.c of his wage. It is asking for a similar pay — if no more.
The supply claims that Vanna White’s negotiations aren’t the truth is asking for half of Pat Sajak’s wage, however quite, they need her take-home pay to equal that of her colleague, if not exceed it. There’s an argument to be made for White, for certain. For one factor, she’s been with the present for over 4 a long time, and whereas Sajak could carry the present so far as main its contestants by way of the sport, White is the face of the model, getting not less than as a lot display screen time as her counterpart as she stands in entrance of the all-important puzzle board.
The quantity Vanna White is asking for is actually going to return into play as Sony decides what it desires Wheel of Fortune’s future to appear like — particularly if it’s true that the corporate feels Pat Sajak was being overpaid at $15 million. White beforehand expressed her needs to remain on when her colleague retires, and the top honchos additionally stated they’d no intention of eliminating her function.
Nevertheless, there could also be some mistrust between the 2 events, as some studies stated she wished a shot at Pat Sajak’s job — or not less than enter on his alternative — which she apparently didn’t get earlier than Ryan Seacrest was introduced as Sajak’s successor. She allegedly noticed that as an absence of respect from the producers, which has solely been strengthened in Sony’s apprehension to pay her what she’s asking for in her new contract. Sources say she feels replaceable — a sentiment that was additionally supported by Individuals’s supply, who stated:
Vanna was advised [over the years], ‘For those who battle this, you’ll lose your job. You are fortunate to have the job.’ And when individuals let you know that for thus lengthy, you consider it.
Contract negotiations have reportedly stalled because of the author’s strike, however Vanna White apparently got here to an settlement with Superstar Wheel of Fortune for $100,000 an episode for subsequent season. We’ll be protecting our eyes out for any extra studies from inside this case, however within the meantime, test your native listings to see when Wheel of Fortune airs in your space, and take a peek at our 2023 TV schedule to see what premieres are coming quickly.
