One of the reasons former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan retired while he still had plenty of good football left in him was that he was confident he could have just as much success as a mainstream television personality as he did on the field. And unlike former teammate Tiki Barber, who made the same decision, it appears that Strahan’s confidence in himself was justified.
Strahan will be named the permanent co-host of Live!, replacing Regis Philbin alongside Kelly Ripa, according to Broadcasting & Cable.
Philbin left the popular morning show in 2011, and Ripa has worked with a revolving cast of co-hosts this year. Strahan, Seth Meyers of Saturday Night Live and singer Josh Groban were considered the top choices to land the gig permanently, and now Strahan has apparently been selected as the new Regis.
Strahan is still expected to appear on FOX’s Sunday NFL pregame show this season. He’ll work on Live! in New York Monday through Friday and in the FOX studio in Los Angeles on Sundays. Over the long haul, this job is a step for Strahan away from the sports world, and toward becoming a rare ex-athlete who’s capable not only of talking about sports, but of leaving the sports world behind and becoming a crossover star.