“Wheel of Fortune” has finally decided on the fate of longtime Pat Sajak co-host Vanna White, who was put on the rocks by the show as contract negotiations dragged on, with her view of her worth and what salary would be appropriate significantly higher than what the show executives had in mind.
However, the two evidently reached some sort of agreement, as her contract was extended for two years. Under the new deal, White will, for an undisclosed sum, continue on with the show through the 2025-2026 season alongside co-host Ryan Seacrest.
Mr. Seacreast’s new position as co-host on the program was announced shortly after Sajak announced his retirement in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)“
White, for her part, said, “When we started @WheelofFortune who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later? I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you, @patsajak!”
She was evidently not happy that Seacrest was hired, however. Speaking to the Daily Mail, an inside source said that White is upset about Seacrest being hired, saying, “She was disappointed that they didn’t give her more of a chance to take over Pat’s job, or that she wasn’t able to give her two cents on the replacement.”
Continuing, the source added that White was particularly upset because the news of Seacrest’s appointment to fill Sajak’s shoes was so important, saying, “She didn’t assume they would be making the announcement of his replacement so soon.”
In any case, White and “Wheel of Fortune” reached an agreement on the matter of White’s contract and salary, with a statement provided to Fox News saying, “As previously announced, Wheel of Fortune’s Season 41, which kicked off this past week, will be the last for host Pat Sajak.”
Continuing, that statement read, “The show will celebrate the 41-derful seasons with him at the helm. Co-host Vanna White has extended her contract for an additional two years, keeping her revealing letters at the iconic puzzleboard through the 2025-2026 season.”
Whatever deal was struck is one that once looked unlikely, as White was reportedly demanding fifty percent of what Pat Sajak made. One unnamed source, speaking on the issue, said: “Fifty percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair. The negotiation is asking for much more than 50% of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay — if not more.”
Further, a source indicated that White was seen as replaceable, saying, “She usually… keeps to herself, comes to work, does her thing, and leaves. She is friendly with everyone, but with the new regime, she doesn’t have the clout she once had, is no longer bulletproof, and is unfortunately made to feel replaceable. She doesn’t want to retire and leave the show, so she really hopes she doesn’t get pushed out. That is the last thing on her list to happen, 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.”
But, whatever the case, that unpleasantness was apparently paved over and White will stay with the show for at least two more seasons.
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