When the New York Giants legend Michael Strahan first joined the ABC network in 2012 for “Live” alongside co-host Kelly Ripa, he showcased how the dominant DE on the turf can have a genuine knack to emotionally connect with people. And that’s how his first stint with Good Morning America came around. But as his GMA co-host, Robin Roberts put it back in 2016, “Two days (of guest appearances) were not enough.” So, while waking up early in the morning every day was a task in itself for the NFL Hall of Famer, one thing that both “intimidated” and “felt overwhelming” to him, still kept him coming for more– The Times Square. 

Michael Strahan became a permanent part of ABC’s GMA, already up and running in the crossroads of the world. The vibrancy, the backdrop of Times Square’s billboards, and energy got to the Texan as it did to Roberts who remembered thinking, “I’m a little girl from Mississippi and I’m working at Times Square… But I just remember the energy and just looking around, going, ‘This is our home?’” when she joined the show in their “Brand-spanking-new” studio in 2005. Twenty-five years ago, GMA joining the venue in 1999 from the ABC headquarters in Lincoln Square on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. And now, it’s making yet another move.

In October 2023 when the news first broke, the next phase was defined as “A strategic decision that will allow for more collaboration and innovation.” Despite going to the new state-of-the-art building with 1.2 million square feet of offices and production facilities and much more in 7 Hudson Square this Monday, June 16, 2025, leaving a home that was a pivotal moment in many of ABC hosts’ careers is bittersweet. And Michael Strahan is not hiding it.

Standing up to the moment, ex-Giants DE Michael Strahan looked back upon the golden days. The official Instagram handle of Good Morning America posted an emotional video with the caption, “As we head into our last week at our Times Square Studios, @michaelstrahan reflects on his first days at the anchor desk in Times Square.”

The shared teaser begins with Strahan walking into the high-energy studio to his anchor desk, as he says through the voiceover, “The bright lights, the personality, the energy. How intimidated I was when I walked through the door. A lot of thoughts were going through my mind.” The video also took the fans to the older segment where the co-anchor, Roberts, greeted him with her signature wit. “It does feel like the first day of school around here, doesn’t it?” she said. Bringing in his humor, Strahan replied, “Yeah, the only thing I’m missing is my Spider-Man lunchbox.” Hilarious!

He opened up about his raw feelings, saying, “It felt overwhelming.” His first thoughts pushed him to reflect on “how overwhelming is this that I’m a part of this?” Strahan’s video tribute is a part of the long trail of goodbyes. The decision to move had come through back in October 2023 as part of ABC News’ strategic consolidation.

Now, from this coming Monday, the show will be hosted at Walt Disney Company’s 22-story headquarters at 7 Hudson Square, which also goes by the name of Robert A. Iger Building, located in Lower Manhattan. However, there’s some good news! Despite the relocation, you can still catch up with GMA’s Summer Concert Series.

The final Times Square show features New Kids on the Block, and Manuel Turizo will open the new studio season on August 1, 2025. The lineup also includes Good Charlotte, Gloria Estefan, Dierks Bentley, and Teyana Taylor. So, the summer vibes remain intact, albeit with a new backdrop. But fans are also concerned about something else. Amidst Strahan’s expiring contract, they are wondering how long he will continue to host.

Michael Strahan weighs in on the future of his GMA contract

Michael Strahan had joined the anchor desk full-time in 2016. Now, his contract is set to expire soon at the end of 2025. But he made his intentions clear in a recent appearance with ESPN’s Jay Harris, with his classic wit. “You’re not taking my spot, you got a job… You can’t have mine, I’m here to stay.” That certainly feels reassuring. When Jay joked, “If you call in sick one day, let me know,” Strahan replied, “I will… not… I’m here to keep my job.” It doesn’t seem like he has any plans to leave GMA anytime soon. And it also doesn’t appear he is letting anybody take up his role even temporarily.

But his schedule remains as jam-packed as ever. Beyond Good Morning America, he is an analyst for Fox NFL Sunday, while hosting The $100,000 Pyramid, and running multiple entrepreneurial ventures, including a clothing and skincare line. And, he values each of them equally. He remarked, “Everything I do is unique… Hosting a game show is nothing like doing an NFL show, which is nothing like doing GMA and the news.” Strahan has a reason for it, as he elaborates, “They all make me exercise a completely different part of my brain.”

But, he has also pointed out that he doesn’t want to work forever, as he plans to enjoy life at some point in time. For him, his family holds equal importance. Especially after Strahan’s daughter Isabella bravely battled with brain cancer. “Hearing her say, ‘Dad, I’ll do whatever it takes. I really want to live,’ that broke me,” he told WebMD. That’ll stop any man in his tracks, even a guy built like Strahan. And it made him rethink everything. “We all have busy jobs and lives; those things pale in comparison to what’s important — family,” he remarked. For Strahan, balance is what matters the most. And, it will become a determining factor regarding his contract decisions.