Exclusive: Ryan Seacrest’s Ratings Domination Sparks Mega Deal Talks
Let’s talk about Ryan Seacrest. The guy who’s been stealing the spotlight on Wheel of Fortune is now set to score a massive deal, according to an exclusive source who spoke with Closer. The source reveals that the show’s executives are scrambling to lock Ryan into a new, long-term contract that could last another five years. And let’s be clear—this deal is going to make Ryan’s salary tower over Vanna White’s, whether she likes it or not.
“Ryan isn’t just keeping the Wheel spinning; he’s bringing in a whole new generation of fans,” the insider shares. “His ratings are sky-high, and that’s exactly why Sony TV wants to secure him for more than just his original contract. Ryan is proving he’s not just Pat Sajak’s replacement—he’s a game-changer.”
Why Vanna’s Not Part of Ryan’s Negotiation
Now here’s the interesting part—Vanna White isn’t involved in Ryan’s contract talks at all. According to the source, she negotiated her current deal when Pat Sajak decided to step down from the syndicated version of the show. That means Vanna’s salary remains separate, and she’s not part of Ryan’s negotiations. But does that mean she’s happy about it? Probably not.
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Both Ryan and Vanna bring something unique to Wheel of Fortune. Vanna, the heart of the show, has been turning letters since 1982. But Ryan? He’s the one with the leverage. His numbers are through the roof, and he’s eyeing a spot among the highest-paid game show hosts in history. After all, the guy’s delivering results that speak for themselves.
Will Vanna Demand More Money?
For now, Vanna is staying with the show, but the growing audience might make her rethink her current deal. “She’s going to be watching Ryan get a massive raise and a long-term commitment from the studio,” the insider says. “And trust me, that’s going to make her want a bigger paycheck sooner rather than later.”
Pat Sajak hosted the show for 41 seasons, from 1981 to 2024, with Vanna by his side since 1982. When Pat announced his departure in 2023, Vanna asked for a renegotiation of her $3 million annual salary, a figure that hadn’t changed in nearly 18 years. While it’s unclear how much her salary increased after those talks, she did agree to stay on the show until 2026.
Vanna told People in October 2023 that she’s excited to stick around for at least two more years. “I’ll have this next year with Pat, and then two years after that, so I’ll definitely be part of Wheel of Fortune until 2026,” she said. But with Ryan’s star power, will Vanna’s time on the show extend beyond that?
Ryan stepped in as the new host of Wheel of Fortune in September, after signing a deal that reportedly runs into the early 2030s. According to The New York Times, the Atlanta native earned a staggering $28 million for this deal. Ryan hit the ground running with the season 42 premiere, earning the highest ratings in nine years with 9.63 million viewers. His entire debut week was a hit, pulling in a 4.88 household rating, the best debut week viewership in five years.
Ryan’s Influence: Can He Decide Vanna’s Future?
With Ryan’s success, he’s not just a host—he’s a force to be reckoned with. Some say he might even have the power to decide Vanna’s future on the show. “The numbers don’t lie. If Ryan wants to bring in a younger, more modern hostess, he probably can, even if Vanna has her own deal,” a second source told Closer in October. “The pressure is on to keep the numbers high, and Ryan’s known for getting what he wants.”
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This second source adds that Ryan can “do what he wants” if the ratings stay strong. “If he decides Vanna’s time is up, it’s possible he’ll get the green light,” the source continued. “It’s no secret he gets annoyed when she sneaks off for lunches with Pat. Ryan’s charming on screen, but behind the scenes, people know he’s as ruthless as they come.”
