‘Wheel of Fortune’: Vanna White Reportedly Makes Partial Deal for ‘Celebrity’ Version Only

Vanna White’s Surprise Move: ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Icon Reportedly Signs Partial Deal — But Only for the Celebrity Edition

In a twist that’s left fans of Wheel of Fortune buzzing, long-time co-host Vanna White has reportedly agreed to a partial contract deal — but with one big catch: the deal only covers the Celebrity Wheel of Fortune spinoff, not the show’s daily syndicated version.

According to insiders close to the production, Vanna White’s contract negotiations have taken an unexpected turn. For months, speculation has surrounded her future with the franchise following the announcement that host Pat Sajak would be retiring after the 2023–2024 season. With Sajak stepping down and Ryan Seacrest stepping in as his replacement, attention quickly shifted to whether White would also be moving on — or if she’d stay to preserve a sense of continuity for viewers.

But now, it seems White’s plans are more complicated than anyone expected.

The Partial Deal: What It Actually Means

Vanna White, who has been with Wheel of Fortune since 1982, reportedly finalized a deal that ensures her appearance on the upcoming seasons of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, the ABC primetime edition that features stars spinning for charity. However, as of now, no finalized agreement has been reached for her continued participation in the regular syndicated version of the show, which airs daily and remains the bread and butter of the Wheel empire.

This partial arrangement raises big questions about White’s future and the direction the producers might be heading as they attempt to reinvent the franchise for a new era.

A source told Variety, “Vanna loves the show and she’s always been loyal, but she also wants to be paid fairly — and it looks like negotiations are being handled separately for the two versions of Wheel.”

The Pay Dispute Behind the Scenes

Rumors of dissatisfaction regarding White’s pay have circulated for years. Reports indicate that she had not received a significant raise in nearly two decades, despite the continued success of the show and her iconic status in pop culture. Meanwhile, Sajak was reportedly earning five times her salary by the time of his retirement announcement.

Negotiations for White’s contract became more public in 2023, as fans and media called out the apparent imbalance. White is believed to have requested a raise that reflects both her longevity and her increased role in maintaining the show’s brand appeal as the face audiences have known and loved for more than 40 years.

Some industry insiders believe the network and Sony Pictures Television are playing hardball — offering her a role only in the spinoff as a compromise, or as a negotiation tactic.

What Happens to the Syndicated Show Without Her?

With Ryan Seacrest set to take over hosting duties, the absence of White on the syndicated show could be a major shake-up. Viewers who have grown up watching White turn letters and light up the stage may find the dynamic between host and co-host drastically altered without her presence.

Industry watchers are divided on whether the producers are testing the waters for a complete revamp or simply caught in a difficult negotiation process. Either way, losing both Sajak and White in a short time span could be risky for the brand.

“Replacing Pat is already a huge deal,” one TV analyst noted. “But losing Vanna too? That’s not just a change — it’s a gamble.”

Celebrity Version to Continue With Star Power

Meanwhile, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune has carved out a successful niche for itself with primetime audiences. The show pairs famous contestants with high-stakes play for charitable causes, and its lighthearted energy has helped it thrive in a competitive timeslot.

Having White confirmed for the Celebrity version ensures the spin-off retains some of its legacy charm. Her presence alongside celebrity players gives the show an added layer of nostalgia — and legitimacy.

Whether this partial deal is a stepping stone toward a full agreement or a sign that White is transitioning away from her longtime post remains to be seen.

What Vanna’s Silence Says

Interestingly, Vanna White has remained tight-lipped about the contract drama. While she has spoken fondly of her time on Wheel in past interviews, she has avoided commenting on specific negotiations or confirming any departures.

Her silence has only fueled more speculation among fans. Is she holding out for a better offer? Or has she already made up her mind to scale back her involvement?

Either way, Vanna White’s next move will be closely watched — and potentially game-changing for one of America’s longest-running and most beloved game shows.

Conclusion: End of an Era, or Just a New Chapter?

For now, the iconic letter-turner remains in limbo. With only a partial deal in place, the future of Wheel of Fortune feels uncertain for the first time in decades. Will White return to the syndicated show alongside Seacrest, or is she preparing to spin into a different role altogether?

As fans wait for official confirmation, one thing is clear: Vanna White is no longer just along for the ride — she’s finally taking control of the wheel.

BREAKING NEWS: Ryan Seacrest reveals the shocking reason why he had to leave Wheel Of Fortune after a short time hosting the show

WHEEL of Fortune social media correspondent Maggie Sajak could end up taking over Ryan Seacrest’s hosting job if he doesn’t sign a new contract.

Ryan, 49, took over Maggie’s dad Pat’s longtime job this fall after the iconic star hosted the game show for over 40 years.

Despite her beloved dad’s departure, Maggie, 29, has remained on Wheel of Fortune in her role as social media correspondent.

Maggie has proven popular with viewers, and has created buzz for the show through her use of Instagram and TikTok.

“It’s important to allow Maggie to develop her own voice when it comes to the Wheel fan base, and that makes her incredibly valuable to Sony

TV,” an insider told The U.S. Sun.

“Because the whole point of bringing in Ryan Seacrest was to reach more young people.”

UNCERTAIN FUTURE

As The U.S. Sun previously reported, Ryan’s arrival on the show has brought a major boost in ratings.

But he has only reportedly signed an official contract for two years, leaving Wheel of Fortune’s future uncertain.

“Sony loves the ratings and wants to negotiate a much longer contract for Ryan, but right now they have to have contingency plans in place in case Ryan simply decides to move on,” the insider claimed.

“Maggie has positioned herself to help out if there’s a hosting vacancy, and the franchise is in her blood and her appreciation for the world of Wheel of Fortune is genuine.”

Whether Ryan stays or goes, Wheel of Fortune execs hope to keep Maggie on the show for years to come.

“Maggie’s already proven herself to be a super-valuable member of the Wheel family, especially during this time of transition,” the insider said.

Wheel of Fortune’s Maggie Sajak takes fans on behind-the-scenes tour of new set & reveals detail that will stay the same.

In addition to her job on Wheel of Fortune, Maggie also recently became a licensed attorney.

“Thank you to everyone who supported me through this journey,” she proudly posted in November.

“Excited to do some good with this in the future.”

As The U.S. Sun exclusively reported, Maggie’s law license was issued on September 7, 2024, by the State Bar of California.

She graduated from Georgetown University Law School in Washington, DC in May 2023.

Wheel of Fortune’s big changes

The game show has undergone a major transformation now that Ryan Seacrest has taken over hosting duties for Pat Sajak.

-Ryan and Vanna White now host on a brand-new set, featuring a blue-toned stage, a green screen and art-deco wheel design.

-Ryan and Vanna make their big entrance from behind new sliding, brightly lit doors.

-Vanna turns – or now, touches – a modern, digital puzzle board controlled by lasers.

-Ryan brings a new hosting style, and has ditched Pat’s signature cue cards.

-The prizes have also been upgraded, and now include tickets to NFL games, and tickets to A-list concerts.