As “Wheel of Fortune” prepares to turn a new leaf with Ryan Seacrest stepping into the shoes of Pat Sajak, its longtime letter-turner, Vanna White, finds herself at the heart of a potential legal dispute over alleged pay disparity.
According to a report published by Puck News, White, 66, enlisted the services of legal counsel last week amidst claims that her compensation has remained frozen for nearly two decades.
The report states that White’s annual salary has been at a standstill of $3 million for the last 18 years, with her occasionally receiving bonuses in lieu of standard pay raises.
This contrasts sharply with the annual remuneration of former host Pat Sajak, who, as per a 2016 Forbes report, was earning a sizable $15 million.
The difference has sparked discussions over potential pay inequality in one of America’s most iconic game shows.
White, who has been a vital presence on the show since 1982, has retained Bryan Freedman, a lawyer known for his aggressive representation of television personalities against their networks.
Freedman recently came under the spotlight for representing ousted cable news hosts Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon in their separate cases against Fox News and CNN.
With White’s contract set to expire at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season, Freedman is expected to confront the pay disparity issue vehemently, as well as the potential gender discrimination regarding White’s salary if Sony Pictures, the producer of the show, wishes to keep her on board.
White has yet to comment on Seacrest’s appointment as the new host. Seacrest, who is also a “Live with Kelly and Ryan” alum, has expressed his anticipation of taking on the new role and the opportunity to work with White.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them,” Seacrest said in a statement.
While the future of White’s role in the show hangs in the balance, audiences and industry observers will be keenly watching the developments of this potential legal dispute over pay disparity.