Back in June, Puck had an interesting exclusive about Vanna White. I realize that this is a niche gossip story to many people, but I’ve been keeping my eye on it for months because, imo, Vanna White is an American television institution, and she has been treated unfairly by Wheel of Fortune’s producers at Sony. Basically, the Puck story was that, early this year, Vanna hired a new ballbuster manager and lawyer and they were going to the mattresses to negotiate her new contract. Vanna hadn’t gotten a pay raise in 18 years – she “only” made $3 million a year for nearly two decades, all while Pat Sajak made $15 million a year. Her new team wanted her new salary to be half of Sajak’s. Sony was playing hardball and it looked like Vanna might get majorly screwed over by Sony. But they relented and gave her a new two-year contract, and her lawyers got Sony to remove an interesting clause in her new contract.

Vanna White has signed on for 2 more years as the cohost of “Wheel of Fortune,” and she’ll take home a lot more cash this time around, but we’ve learned things are far from settled. Sources connected to Vanna tell TMZ, she received a “substantial pay increase” from the $3 million per year she was making for nearly 2 decades. She had not gotten a raise for 18 years. As we reported, Vanna’s pay paled by comparison to Pat Sajak, who is pulling in $15 mil per season.

Vanna’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, was in what were told were “very difficult negotiations” with Sony. Freedman wanted Sony to cough up at least half of what Pat is making.

Now this is interesting … our sources say Sony had a clause in the new contract, releasing the studio from any claims Vanna might have, but Freedman insisted that the clause be removed … and it was.

We’re hearing Freedman is mulling over a possible gender discrimination lawsuit against Sony based on the disparity in pay. It’s an interesting claim … the show begins with the announcer saying, “Here are the stars of our show, Pat Sajak and Vanna White!” They come out arm-in-arm … and at least visually there’s no difference in status between the 2. In terms of pay, there is a huge difference.

Season 41 began filming last week … it will be Pat’s final season. Season 42 will have Ryan Seacrest at the reins.

[From TMZ]

Basically, Vanna wants to be free to sue the pants off of Sony for two decades of gender discrimination. And I think she has an excellent case, although obviously we don’t know all the ins and outs of her contract negotiations in previous years. It feels like Sony realized that they had left themselves open to a pretty big lawsuit, and gave Vanna what she wanted for two years, after which they might let her go. And if and when they do, she’ll sue. I think that’s beautiful.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red.