Michael Strahan Rumored to Be New Ripa Co-Host

According to USA Today, Michael Strahan is currently in talks to be the next co-host of LIVE!, sitting beside the show's current host Kelly Ripa. Strahan, a former Giants football star, currently hosts "Fox NFL Sunday." The news was first reported in the trade journal Broadcasting & Cable. A spokeswoman for "Live!" declined to comment. 

"LIVE! with Kelly" debuted last November following the departure of longtime host Regis Philbin, and in the following months, 59 different men and women sat next to Kelly at the co-host desk, top personalities from every area of broadcasting and entertainment. Recent reports have speculated that Saturday Night Live's Seth Meyers was a lead contender to take over permanent co-hosting duties. Other possible contenders included singer/musician Josh Groban.

Ripa will kick off the new season on Monday, September 3, acting as a solo host for the first time, and the following day, September 4, will mark the first day the new co-host team officially will helm the show together. Stopping by as guests on September 4 will be actress Claire Danes and 2012 "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips, making his "LIVE" performance debut.

Emmy Award-winning talk show "LIVE! with Kelly" is distributed in national syndication by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York and executive produced by Michael Gelman, "LIVE! with Kelly" airs in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Visit "LIVE" on the web at www.livewithkelly.tv, on Facebook, or follow "LIVE" on Twitter, @LiveKelly.