Ryan Seacrest made his debut as host of Wheel of Fortune on September 12 after Pat Sajak announced his retirement in June
Ryan Seacrest is reportedly set to pocket an impressive $28 million for hosting season 42 of Wheel of Fortune, according to a reliable source chatted up by RadarOnline. This whopping wage considerably outstrips his annual $12 million Moment of Truth deal with American Idol.
With this lucrative dabble into Wheel of Fortune added to his tally, Seacrest now tops the list of highest-paid TV individuals.
Following long-serving host Pat Sajak’s retirement statement in June 2023 after more than four decades, Seacrest was announced as the succeeding face of the show just four months later. The news sparked a flurry of reactions from fans; some voiced concerns about Seacrest’s ability to juggle both roles whilst also retaining his duties on American Idol, others proposed Sajak’s 29 year old offspring, Maggie, as a potential successor.
Commenting on the enormity of the task at hand, Seacrest admitted in an April interview with People that he’s feeling the pressure of succeeding Sajak.
“Well, no one can ever do what Pat has done. He is incredible,” he commended the towering television icon.
Going on to add, “He has made that show just something so very special for so long, and he has done such a seamless, remarkable job, so no one can be him. People love watching him. I want them to keep love watching it, and I hope to do a great job as well.”
Sajak concluded his tenure on the show with an emotional goodbye on June 7, and Seacrest later took to Instagram with a touching tribute to celebrate his impressive stint.
“Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune! Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades,” he wrote alongside a snap of them grinning on set with Vanna White.
“Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers. You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors! ” he continued.
