Ryan Seacrest's Big Move At 'Wheel Of Fortune': The Inside Scoop

Alright, listen up. You know Ryan Seacrest, right? The guy who's been crushing it on 'Wheel of Fortune'? Well, here's the scoop: sources are telling Closer that the show's bigwigs are scrambling to lock him into a massive new deal. We're talking five more years of Ryan spinning that wheel and keeping viewers hooked. But here's the kicker—this move could leave Vanna White feeling a little left out, especially since her paycheck pales in comparison to Ryan's.

Why Ryan's Got the Spotlight

Let me break it down for you. Ryan's not just another pretty face on TV. He's proven himself to be a game-changer. According to an insider, "Ryan has more than earned his spot as Pat Sajak's successor, and he's the guy who can bring fresh faces to the 'Wheel' family." It's all about the numbers, folks. His impressive ratings are sparking serious talks about extending his contract way beyond his initial deal. Sony TV isn't messing around—they want Ryan in the driver's seat for the long haul.

Vanna's Role in All This

Now, let's talk about Vanna. She's been a beloved part of 'Wheel of Fortune' for decades, but guess what? She's not involved in Ryan's renegotiation. The source dished, "Vanna sealed her current deal around the time Pat decided to step down from the syndicated version." While Vanna has been the heart of the show in many ways, it's Ryan who holds all the cards now. He's aiming high—like, aiming to be one of the best-paid game show hosts in history. And why not? The guy's delivering results.

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What's Vanna Thinking?

Here's the twist: Vanna might be sticking around, but the sudden spike in viewership since Ryan took over has her questioning her own deal. Our insider revealed, "Vanna's going to be watching Ryan get that huge raise and a solid commitment from the studio. It's only a matter of time before she demands more money too." Pat, who hosted the show for 41 seasons, recently stepped down, leaving Vanna as the only original face. She last renegotiated her salary in 2023, after nearly 18 years without a raise. While it's unclear how much her salary increased, she's committed to staying through 2026.

Vanna herself shared her thoughts with People last year, saying, "I’m thrilled to have signed on for two more years. I’ll be with Pat this next year, and then I’ve got two years after that, so I’ll be part of 'Wheel of Fortune' at least through 2026." Meanwhile, Ryan stepped into Pat's shoes last September with a lucrative deal extending into the early 2030s. Reports suggest he earned $28 million for the deal, proving just how valuable he is to the show.

Ryan's Impact on Ratings

From day one, Ryan has been a ratings powerhouse. The season 42 premiere under his leadership brought in the highest numbers in nine years, pulling in a staggering 9.63 million viewers. His entire debut week was a hit, scoring a 4.88 household rating—the best debut week viewership in five years. Ryan's not just hosting; he's running the show. And guess what? He might even decide Vanna's future on the program.

Another insider chimed in, saying, "The numbers don’t lie. If Ryan wants to bring in a younger, more modern co-host, he probably could, even though Vanna's under contract. The pressure is on to keep those ratings up, and Ryan’s a master at getting what he wants from the people around him." This source added, "If the numbers stay strong, Ryan can pretty much do what he wants. If he decides Vanna's time is up, there's a good chance the powers that be will back him. It's no secret that he's annoyed by her lunches with Pat. Ryan may act charming, but let's face it—he's ruthless when he needs to be."