EXCLUSIVE: Vanna White’s new Wheel of Fortune contract STILL hasn’t been finalized – because the longtime host is stuck in stalemate with execs over her demand for a ‘tremendous payout’

The long-running negotiations over Vanna White’s new contract with the Wheel of Fortune are still in a stubborn deadlock, insiders have revealed.

White, who has been a regular on the beloved game show for more than four decades, is fighting for higher pay after working for years without a raise and earning just a fraction of what her former co-host Pat Sajak made — even as Ryan Seacrest steps down. in his role.

A source familiar with the negotiations revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com that there are a few ‘niggles’ to be worked out – after the popular co-host, 66, was recently forced to take a temporary break from filming after he signed a contract at the end of July. with Covid-19. .

The insider explained, “Vanna and the producers are on the same page right now and trying to get a deal done, but they both have a few hiccups to work out.

“They both know they have a lot of time for it and there are still more discussions to be had, but everyone wants something accomplished and doesn’t want Pat’s senior year to be hampered by the constant news of the ongoing drama over contract disputes. They want to celebrate this year with little to no drama.”

The source added that there were a few issues that caused a slight stalemate in the negotiations as this could be White’s last contract with the show.

“Wheel wants the transition between Pat and Ryan to be seamless and it would be great to have Vanna on hand to make all of that happen,” the insider continued.

“However, they want her next contract to be her last, so there’s a little more maneuverability to turn things around in a few years when they start looking for her replacement.”

The source explained that White still stood by her request for a bigger payday, adding, “Vanna is actually fine with that, she just wants a great payday that the show doesn’t want to think about at this point.”

“It’s a matter of who will give in first, but they’re not both blinking just yet. Vanna wants to leave on her terms and retire when she’s ready with a nice salary to end it all.’

The source compared it to the ongoing strikes by actors and writers that have brought Hollywood to a standstill in recent weeks.

‘It’s similar to the strikes; everyone is waiting, but in Vanna’s favor at least she’s talking to producers and there’s some progress,” the insider claimed.

DailyMail.com has reached out to White’s representatives for comment.

Fighting her worth: White hasn’t gotten a raise in nearly 20 years; seen with outgoing host Pat Sajak

Time for a change: The 66-year-old has earned just a fraction of what her former co-host Sajak made – even as Ryan Seacrest steps into his role

Filming for new episodes of Wheel of Fortune will take place in early September, and again towards the end of the same month. While the shooting of new episodes of the celebrity version will resume in early October.

In June, former presenter Pat Sajak announced he would step down after taking over as host in 1981.

He plans to wrap up filming on the show’s 41st season, which is expected to wrap up sometime in September this year, while Ryan Seacrest is likely to begin filming season 42 sometime in 2024.

White reportedly only earns about half of what her current Wheel Of Fortune co-host Sajak earns, and she’s renegotiated her contract with help from high-powered attorney Bryan Freedman, who previously represented Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly.

In July, TMZ reported that White signed a partial deal to earn $100,000 per episode of the spin-off Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune, but she and Freedman were still working on a contract for the flagship program.

However, that’s only a quarter of Sajak’s reported $400,000 per episode for Celebrity Wheel Of Fortune.

She is reported to earn about $3 million a year on the regular series, while Sajak earns five times that at $15 million.

Back left: White has been a fixture on the beloved game show for over four decades; seen with Sajak

New era: White reportedly asking for only half of Sajak’s $15 million salary before Ryan Seacrest replaces him in 2024

DailyMail.com previously reported that White asks producers for only half of what Sajak makes, though that still appears to be more than they’re willing to pay the iconic television star.

Coincidentally, sources told TMZ that Wheel’s studio Sony believes Sajak has been overpaid in recent years, and therefore considers his salary a meaningless yardstick for White to negotiate by.

Regardless of whether Sajak’s salary is too high, White will still try to raise hers, after it reportedly remained unchanged for eighteen years.

However, it’s unclear if she wasn’t actively seeking better compensation during that period, and if Wheel Of Fortunes bosses refused to pay her more during all that time.

A source described as heavily involved in the negotiations disputed the report that White was asking for half of Sajak’s salary, claiming instead that she wanted to match his salary after years of stagnation. People.