Ryan Seacrest Is Reportedly Making *How Much* More Than Pat Sajak For Wheel of Fortune???
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Ryan Seacrest is kicking off a new era of Wheel of Fortune, taking over as the host following Pat Sajak’s tenure. Fans are excited to see the new season of Wheel and wonder if Seacrest can fill the legendary Sajak’s shoes as host.
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How Much Does Ryan Seacrest Make Hosting Wheel of Fortune?
There’s a lot of speculation about Seacrest’s salary for hosting Wheel of Fortune, but the specific amount hasn’t been disclosed. In June 2023, Radar Online reported that, according to a source, Seacrest could earn at least $28 million for the hosting gig.
On August 31, The New York Times reported that Seacrest’s contract has him signed on to host “through the early 2030s.” According to the report, “The chairman of Sony said that one reason he signed Mr. Seacrest through the early 2030s was to help the show transition to the streaming world. Wheel of Fortune has almost no presence on streaming services today.”
Sony chairman Tony Vinciquerra told the Times, “We want to have the continuity of the host, someone who is well known, and who will travel with the show through that transition. I can’t think of a better person to do that with than Ryan.”
Seacrest’s salary was not revealed, but according to Forbes, Sajak reportedly earned $15 million per season in 2016. That number was presumably higher by the time he retired in 2023. With Seacrest’s years of hosting experience on American Idol, Live with Kelly and Ryan, On Air With Ryan Seacrest, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, he is no doubt fetching a massive salary for Wheel of Fortune.
According to a report from Puck News, Vanna White earned $3 million per season, prior to her most recent salary negotiations. She has also received bonuses over the years.
More: Pat Sajak’s salary on Wheel of Fortune revealed
On September 9, Seacrest and Vanna White sat down with Good Morning America to discuss the Wheel of Fortune Season 42 premiere. GMA’s Robin Roberts kicked things off with a vintage clip of White, in which the letter turning star was asked, “Vanna, any other aspirations at the moment?” She responded, “Not at the moment. I’m going to be with Wheel of Fortune as long as it’s on.”’
Cut to modern day Good Morning America, and White said with a smile, “And I’m still here!”
As for White’s advice for Seacrest, she told the GMA hosts, “When he came on, I said, ‘Just be yourself.’ That’s the best advice I can give you and he has been himself.”
Seacrest called the experience “a dream, honestly, to be on this show, to work with Vanna. I’m so happy that you are going to be on board with us.” He continued, “And it’s the same Wheel of Fortune that everybody loves. It’s just me standing there saying, ‘Let’s play.’ That’s really the big difference.”
He added, “It’s just fun. Every night, three new contestants they’re winning cash and prizes. Escape from the world and just join us for a little bit of action.”
More: Vanna White’s salary on Wheel of Fortune
When asked why she keeps coming back to do the show, White answered, “It’s such a happy show. It’s fun, too. It never gets old. There’s always new puzzles. I have a new dress. You never know what’s going to be said.”
Seacrest also shared what Sajak told him about the hosting gig. “He really said you’re going to enjoy seeing people’s reactions on being on the show,” the American Idol host said. “They are so excited that they got the call to be a contestant on this show because it means so much. I mean it’s a show that we all love we all have watched for so many years and it’s more than just a show — it’s part of our culture here.”
The new season of Wheel of Fortune premieres on September 9.
For more on primetime shows, check out our photo gallery on the best nighttime shows ranked.
