Vanna White— theWheel of Fortuneco-host who joined the show in 1982 — is negotiating her salary deal for the syndicated show and fighting to make at least as much as spinmeisterPat Sajak, a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE exclusively.
While areport surfaced on Thursday that White’s lawyerasked Sony Pictures Television for 50 percent of Sajak’s salary, the source says that is inaccurate.
“50 percent of Pat’s salary is so outrageous that no one in their right mind could say that it’s fair,” says the source. “The negotiation is asking for much more than 50 percent of his salary. It’s asking for the same pay — if not more.”
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A rep for Sony Pictures Television declined PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The 66-year-old has been flipping and revealing letters on the show for more than four decades alongside 76-year-old Sajak,who recently announcedhis time onWheelwould end after the show’s 41st season. Last month,Ryan Seacrestannounced he would take over, starting in fall 2024.
According to the source, White has made approximately $3 million a year for the past 18 years without any pay increases.
Wheel of Fortunedebuted back in 1975, and almost 50 years later, remains a beloved show. In late June, sources told PEOPLE thatSony Pictures Television was “in negotiations” with Whiteand “would like to have her back.”
Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty
Throughout her years in show business, “Vanna was told, ‘If you fight this, you will lose your job. You’re lucky to have the job.’ And when people tell you that for so long, you believe it,'” says the source, who adds that White is now ready to fight for her future.
Back in December,White told PEOPLEshe wasn’t ready to leaveWheel of Fortunebehind. “I don’t even want to think about that. I mean, we’re a team,” she said at the time of her bond with Sajak.
“That’s depressing. I don’t even want to think about it,” White continued. “Everybody relatesWheel of Fortuneto 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.”
Says the source close to the situation: “She’s a really, really sweet person. She deserves so much more.”
source: people.com
