Two former Jeopardy! and Wheel of of Fortune executives have accused the game shows ' parent company, Sony Pictures, of unlawful race, gender and age discrimination as well as retaliation. Shelley Ballance Ellis, a Black woman, and Monique Diaz, a Latina woman, have filed complaints with California 's Civil Rights Department and the National Labor Relations Board. Together they claim that Sony's management terminated them and others in retaliation for collectively opposing harmful discrimination and toxic working conditions on the long-running game shows.
Sony said the two presenters were eliminated due to "business efficiency decisions and (it was) not retaliatory," while adding there had been a "significant transition" at the studio and it is "dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect." Wheel of Fortune's Vanna White on ‘crazy’ change to puzzle board as fans react New Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest shows off bold new look days before show Ballance Ellis and Diaz had spent close to 50 years combined working on the shows, but were terminated in April. Ballance Ellis, 60, was Executive Director, Licensing and Clearance at Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Diaz, 48, worked in the same department.
They also claim their terminations were because they opposed racial discrimination in the workplace. They also allege that Diaz's pay inequity, the biases Ballance Ellis faced as an older Black woman, the airing of inappropriate footage of Southern plantations.
