Earlier this month, speculation began swirling regarding Vanna White’s future at Wheel of Fortune after the news that Pat Sajak was retiring after 41 seasons, followed up by confirmation that Ryan Seacrest will take over hosting duties.
The legendary game show co-host has gone as far as to threaten to quit if she does not receive more than double her $3 million salary to get closer to the $15 million annual pay of outgoing host Pat Sajak.
By her side is Bryan Freedman handling her negotiations with Sony Pictures Television Studios.
TMZ has reported that Sony Pictures won’t just give in to White’s demands.
“Our sources say Freedman asked Sony to use a third party who knows the game show space to evaluate Pat and Vanna’s roles and importance on the show, and then come up with a “fair figure.” We’re told Sony turned thumbs down to that request.
We’re told one of the problems … Sony believes they ended up paying Pat too much and they don’t want to use his salary for comparability. Apparently, that hasn’t sat well with Team Vanna.”
A source close to White said negotiations could “get ugly” if Sony doesn’t get more serious.
Friedman had requested that Sony go through a third party familiar with game shows to gauge both White and Sajak’s roles and their significance to the show to come up with a “fair figure,” but Sony is not biting and refuses to negotiate anything higher.
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White hasn’t gotten a single pay increase for the last 18 years. Since 2005, White has received only bonuses, not raises. Sajak has hosted “Wheel” since 1981, while White joined the show a year later to become its iconic letter-turner.
She hosted the show temporarily in 2019 while Sajak recovered from surgery.
White has characterized her salary fight as a “statement” for all women, but it looks like that fight will go nowhere.
