Wheel of Fortune appeared to be heading in the right direction, rolling proper alongside to a drama-free internet hosting transition, with the announcement that Ryan Seacrest would succeed Pat Sajak upon his retirement following the 2023-24 season. Perhaps that may have been the case if Sajak have been the one host the present needed to fear about, nevertheless it seems Vanna White’s contract is ready to run out in 2024. These negotiations could also be the place the traditional recreation present runs into hassle, and an insider defined why Sony Footage must pony up and pay the longtime letter-turner what she’s asking for.
Each Vanna White and Pat Sajak have been the faces of Wheel of Fortune for over 4 a long time, and whereas the pinnacle honchos at Sony reportedly have no plans to remove White’s function on the present upon Sajak’s retirement subsequent yr, the 2 sides reportedly aren’t seeing eye to eye relating to the pay enhance White is asking for. This can be a mistake, in line with an insider for Life&Fashion, who mentioned:
Vanna deserves extra money. The community must do the best factor. In the event that they have been to switch her, it wouldn’t look good, and followers could be livid.
Vanna White has been turning the letters on Wheel of Fortune’s huge board since 1982, and at this level she’s nothing wanting a nationwide treasure. The supply argues that not doing proper by her in her contract would upset her longtime followers.
It’s reported that she makes $3 million a yr earlier than bonuses and hasn’t obtained an official pay bump in 18 years. Pat Sajak, in the meantime, is reported to make 5 instances that a lot at $15 million. Vanna White has lawyered up to allegedly request half of her colleague’s earnings — however greater than doubling her present wage — with $7.5 million.
It’s unknown how a lot Ryan Seacrest was supplied to simply accept the internet hosting gig, nevertheless it’s most likely secure to say he’ll make not less than as a lot as Pat Sajak, and it’s straightforward to see how denying his co-star half of that might go away a nasty style in some viewers’ mouths. The present’s alleged hesitancy to compensate their 41-year worker additionally makes it comprehensible why Vanna White reportedly feels “replaceable” within the eyes of the producers.
Wheel of Fortune appeared to make a good selection with Ryan Seacrest — bringing in a number with tons of expertise who its viewers is probably going acquainted with from his a number of different jobs. So now the query seems to be whether or not they wish to pay Vanna White to take care of some consistency following Pat Sajak’s retirement, or do they wish to overhaul the entire operation in a single fell swoop? White has made it clear she doesn’t wish to go away, and with 40-plus years underneath her belt, she’s actually earned the best to have some say in her future, proper?
With no data of what discussions are being had behind closed doorways, the insider appears to make a great level that Wheel of Fortune could be finest to easily pay the co-host what she needs and keep away from a public relations mess, as a result of if there’s one factor in all of this that we do know, it’s that America certain loves Vanna White.
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