"Live! with Kelly and Michael" co-host Michael Strahan confirmed this morning that he will indeed be joining the "Good Morning America" team.
Rumors began yesterday that the former NFL player was in talks with ABC to join the GMA staff, with multiple sources leaking that Strahan would appear on GMA three to four times a week.
Strahan confirmed the story with Kelly Ripa and the "Live!" audience during this morning's show. "The big news is that I'm gonna be on GMA now," Strahan said, adding that he will only be part-time on the show. "I don't think I could do [GMA] every day. I have a lot going on. I have to be smart about it." Strahan is also a co-host on "FOX NFL Sunday."
In spite of his busy schedule, he made sure to emphasize that "Live!" and his co-host, Kelly, are his main priorities: "I just want everyone to know, and you to know, that no matter what, this is my No. 1 priority, and you are my No. 1 priority, and I would never do anything to jeopardize the quality of what I do here."
Strahan will join GMA anchors Amy Robach, Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer, George Stephanopoulos and Ginger Zee.
Strahan's arrival comes on the heels of the sudden departure of anchor Josh Elliott. Elliott, who had been with GMA since 2011, quit the program on Sunday via e-mail to join rival station NBC.
With no sign-off from Elliott, the remaining GMA hosts confirmed his departure on-air Monday morning. "He is going back to his roots," Stephanopoulos said. Elliott was a co-anchor on ESPN's "SportsCenter" and "First Take" before joining GMA. His new position is expected to be with NBC Sports.
In January, weather anchor Sam Champion also left GMA to join NBC. Champion appears on NBC's "Today" show, and on The Weather Channel. ABC has not commented on Strahan's "Good Morning America" position.
