Vanna White’s job still up in the air with just 2 weeks until ‘Wheel of Fortune’ returns: report


The show must go on — with or without Vanna White.

The legendary “Wheel of Fortune” letter-turner, 66, still has not finalized her upcoming contract on the game show, according to a new report, just weeks before the show is slated to return to ABC on September 11.

“Vanna and the producers are currently on a similar page and want to get a deal done but they both have a few hiccups to still clear through,” an unidentified source alleged to the Daily Mail.

“They both know they have a lot of time to do it and more discussions to be had but everyone wants something achieved and wouldn’t want Pat’s last year hampered by the constant news of the revolving contract dispute drama,” the insider continued.

“They want to celebrate this year with little to no drama whatsoever.”


Photo of Vanna White.
Vanna White still has not finalized her contract for “Wheel of Fortune,” according to a new report.
FilmMagic

Photo of Vanna White and Pat Sajak.
A “Wheel of Fortune” insider alleged that there are still some “hiccups” to work through regarding White’s contract renewal.
ABC via Getty Images

Photo of Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
Pat Sajak announced his retirement in June.
©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Post reached out to White’s representatives for comment.

The upcoming 41st season of “Wheel of Fortune” will make history, as it marks Pat Sajak’s last as host before he retires and Ryan Seacrest takes over.

It is also White’s last season per her current contract, which runs until 2024, according to Deadline.

After Sajak, who has been hosting the show since 1981, announced his retirement in June, it was reported by Puck News that White hired attorney Bryan Freedman to broker a deal for her, as she allegedly hasn’t received a raise in 18 years.

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She already negotiated a new contract and salary for the celebrity version of the show.


Photo of Vanna White.
Vanna White’s current contract ends in 2024.
ABC via Getty Images

Photo of Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
White and Sajak “want to celebrate this year with little to no drama whatsoever,” the source alleged.
©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Photo of Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
In June, Puck News reported that White’s salary is well below what Sajak makes, despite their long, shared tenure on “Wheel of Fortune.”
AP

However, according to this insider, the show’s producers want to make sure it’s a smooth transition between having Sajak and Seacrest as hosts and think that having White there could really help smooth out the change for viewers.

“They want her next contract though to be her last contract so there is a little more maneuverability to change things up in a few years when they look for her replacement,” the source alleged.

But White is still looking for that raise — and a “tremendous” one at that, according to the source.

“It is a matter of who is going to budge first, but they both aren’t blinking yet,” they claimed. “Vanna wants to go out on her terms and retire when she is ready with a nice paycheck to end it all.”


Photo of Ryan Seacrest.
Ryan Seacrest has been named as Sajak’s successor — beginning with Season 42.
ABC via Getty Images

Photo of Vanna White and Pat Sajak.
White has not spoken out publicly regarding the rumored contract negotiations.
ABC via Getty Images

Puck News reported that the star has been making $3 million per year since 2005, while a 2016 report from Forbes alleged that Sajak cashes in a hefty $15 million a year for the hosting gig.

However, White already had to miss a handful of episodes in this upcoming season.

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She isn’t working the show’s annual “Teachers Week” this season after reportedly being diagnosed with COVID-19.

So far, though, White has stayed mum publicly about the status of her role on the game show.

In July, she hopped aboard TMZ’s Celebrity Bus Tour to say hi to fans.

Towards the end, someone asked her whether she would be coming back to the show, or even hosting it.

In response, she just laughed and smiled, cheekily telling them all, “Time to say bye,” as she exited the bus.



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