Vanna White eyes huge paycheck to stay on 'Wheel of Fortune' after being paid 5 times less than ex-host Pat Sajak

The longtime ‘Wheel of Fortune’ co-host Vanna White hasn’t had a pay increase in 18 years

PUBLISHED JUN 24, 2023

Vanna White and Pat Sajak speak as they are inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The Wheel of Fortune's co-host, Vanna White is reportedly negotiating her new contract and looking to stay on the long-standing game show past the 2023-2024 season. Although the details of the deal have not yet been disclosed, it has been reported that the 66-year-old wants a big paycheck, almost equalling Pat Sajak's, who announced his retirement from the show just a few days ago.

Both White and Sajak have been a part of the show for more than four decades. White wants a significant pay raise in her new contract, reports Puck. Although White has received a few bonuses as the host of the show, her last pay increase reportedly came 18 years ago.

'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak speaks as he is inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2018 in Las Vegas (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Vanna White attends the Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai annual luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on November 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. — Vanna White attends the Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai annual luncheon in Beverly Hills, California (David Livingston/Getty Images)

Pat Sajak earned five times Vanna White's salary

White is said to earn around $3 million per year while Sajak earns at least $15 million a year from royalties, licensing fees, and other payments related to the show. The 76-year-old announced that he will be retiring from the show earlier this month.

'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak and co-host Vanna White walk onstage as they are inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

'Well, the time has come'

"Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last," the television personality shared on Twitter. "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!)" The EVP of Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, Suzanne Prete also confirmed Sajak's upcoming retirement and said that he would be a consultant on the series for the next three years.

Television personality Pat Sajak introduces players prior to Game Three of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on June 2, 2018 in Washington, DC. — Pat Sajak introduces players prior to Game Three of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Washington Capitals (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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!)
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) June 12, 2023

Vanna White wants to stay on the 'Wheel of Fortune'

White previously expressed her desire to stay in the show back in December last year. "I don't even want to think about that. I mean, we're a team," she said at the time to People. "That's depressing. I don't even want to think about it." She also said that it will be hard for her to imagine a world without herself or Sajak hosting the popular game show. "I just visualize us just being there. I can't think beyond that," she said. "I can't imagine,” she continued. “Everybody relates Wheel of Fortune to Pat and Vanna. We're like Ken and Barbie, you know? We've been in everybody's homes for 40 years, so it would be weird having somebody else turn my letters."

(R) Host of the TV game show — Pat Sajak and Vanna White at the 25th-anniversary celebration of 'Wheel Of Fortune' in New York City. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Vanna White attends the 17th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at Private Residence on June 2, 2018 in Brentwood, California. — Vanna White at the 17th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at Private Residence in Brentwood, California (Earl Gibson III/Getty Images)