AP Source: Strahan close to deal with 'Live!'

By foxsports
Published

Michael Strahan is in talks to be named co-host of ''Live!'' beside Kelly Ripa.

Strahan, 40, a former NFL star and currently a host of ''Fox NFL Sunday,'' was in negotiations to be named as replacement for Regis Philbin, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak about the negotiations.

Broadcasting & Cable, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, said ABC was expected to announce him as co-host in early September.

The syndicated weekday show has left Ripa without a permanent co-host since Philbin left the show in November 2011. Since then, she has welcomed 59 guest co-hosts, some of whom, including Strahan, were under consideration for the permanent job. Strahan has made several guest appearances this year.

A spokeswoman for ''Live!'' declined to comment on Philbin's replacement.

On Monday, Disney-ABC Domestic Television had said Ripa will officially announce her new partner as he or she joins her on stage for the Sept. 4 broadcast.

Strahan, a former NFL defensive star, also headlined a shortlived Fox sitcom, ''Brothers,'' in 2009.

Philbin, the original ''Live!'' host, exited at age 80 after presiding more than 28 years alongside several co-hosts.

Ripa became his on-air partner in 2001.

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Alicia Rancilio contributed to this report.