Ryan Seacrest has been named the new host of Wheel of Fortune, the game show announced Tuesday.
The man being touted as the frontrunner to fill Sajak’s spot after he retires will command at least $28 million, a source close to Seacrest told RadarOnline.com.
Seacrest said in a statement to CNN,
I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.
Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.
Many people probably don’t know this but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show called Click for Merv Griffin 25 years ago so this is truly a full circle moment for me and I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity.
According to RadarOnline.com, combined with his American Idol hosting gig (where he gets $12 million per year) and role as a producer on various other programs, the unprecedented payday will make him the highest-paid person on TV.
Seacrest also said,
I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
But Pat’s longtime co-host Vanna White‘s fate has yet to be decided by producers. Sources said there is drama on set as Pat has been trying to push for his daughter Maggie to replace Vanna. Maggie, 28, joined the show in 2021 as a “social correspondent” and she’s become more of a regular fixture in the months since.
An insider said,
Behind-the-scenes, it’s turned into an all-out war.
Pat’s trying to elbow her aside to make room for Maggie.
Everyone’s bracing themselves for battle.”
The 76-year-old Sajak, who has hosted the show since its debut in 1983, will serve as a consultant to the show for 3 years after his last episode.
Breaking News: Ryan Seacrest will succeed Pat Sajak as the next host of “Wheel of Fortune,” according to people familiar with the plan. https://t.co/Q3h3RkzjoT pic.twitter.com/RexKaRld9O
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 27, 2023
(Photo, YouTube; via CNN, RadarOnline)
