Michael Strahan leaving 'Live With Kelly and Michael' to join 'GMA'
Strahan has been appearing twice a week on the ABC morning show since 2014. He will begin his full time duties in September, ABC News president James Goldston said on Tuesday, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Business Insider has confirmed the news with "GMA" representatives and obtained an internal memo from Goldston.
"Michael has been a stellar addition to the broadcast," Goldston wrote in the memo. "Over the past two years on 'GMA,' he's proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and news makers."
Strahan is expected to leave "Live" over the summer.
He joined the syndicated morning show four years ago in 2012. Strahan was chosen among several candidates who filled in for departed longtime co-host Regis Philbin for several months to host alongside Kelly Ripa.
Previously, Strahan played for 15 years in the NFL for the New York Giants. He was later a contributor to the "Fox NFL Sunday Pregame Show" and hosted DIY Network's home improvement program "Backyard Stadiums."
Read the internal memo from Goldston to his team on Strahan's new position below:
Team -
I want to share some exciting news about our "GMA" family.
The deeply talented Michael Strahan, who currently joins Robin, George, Lara, Amy and Ginger twice a week, will expand his role to appear full-time in the mornings on "GMA" starting in September.
Michael has been a stellar addition to the broadcast. Over the past two years on "GMA," he's proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and newsmakers.
He will end a four-year run as Kelly Ripa's co-host on "LIVE!," where he has honed his skills as an interviewer with genuine warmth and a quick wit. At "GMA" he'll now have even more opportunities to tell stories that inspire, inform and empower people.
Almost exactly four years ago "GMA" memorably broke "Today's" epic 16-year win streak in the mornings. Since then, the team has battled just as fiercely to deliver great journalism when news breaks, from San Bernardino to Brussels; reported relentlessly from the campaign trail with over 100 interviews with the candidates; and embraced new technology - from "VR" to our "GMA Wake Up Call" - to supercharge how we connect with our viewers every minute of the day.
I'm delighted to welcome Michael to "GMA" each and every morning. I can't wait to see what this incredibly talented team will bring our viewers next.
James