Paula Deen returns but financial backer plays it safe

Paula Deen said on Wednesday she was launching her own digital network, but her financial backer is waiting to see how she does before investing much money, The Post has learned.

Private-equity backer Najafi Cos. invested $75 million in Deen, according to published reports in February, but sources said only a small amount of seed money has actually been committed.

Najafi, which controls the Deen digital venture, will wait to see if the effort bears fruit before opening the financial spigot further, said a source close to the situation.

The PE firm is “fully committed” to Deen and is planning to “spend the amount necessary to ensure success,” it said in a statement — without confirming any dollar commitment.

What’s more, the source said, Deen decided to launch her network only after failing to reach a pact with NBC’s “Today” on hosting a regular segment.

A Deen spokeswoman confirmed there were discussions with “Today,” but said she hadn’t asked for such a gig.

About a year after admitting in court that she had used racial slurs, Deen’s plan is to charge customers about $10 a month to watch her Southern cooking show on their PCs, smartphones and tablets.

“Y’all can get my recipes, tips and cooking any time you want,” she said in publicizing the move at the time.

Early registration will begin next month.

Since the Food Network dropped the disgraced Southern cooking star like a hot potato last year, she has reduced her management team to the point that her network lacks content and only includes family and friends, the source said.