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Essentials Inside The Story

  • Michael Strahan makes a 180-degree turn from what he said about retirement barely four months ago
  • The New York Giants legend has multiple ventures under his belt
  • Could the broadcasting veteran move away from GMA?

In a way, Michael Strahan always knows what he wants. When the defensive end entered the 2007 NFL season with the New York Giants, he assumed it would be his last ride. Winning Super Bowl 42 only helped him decide. Almost two decades later, Jason Kelce asked him a similar question, and he summed it up in one word with an asterisk sign.

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“Retirement,” answered Michael Strahan on the New Heights podcast after the former Eagles star asked him what’s next for him.

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“I love FOX. But you work so much. I want to go here, I want to go there, and I can’t do a lot of things because I’ve got these commitments and schedules and stuff. At this point, I have to look at time lived and time left.”

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Strahan did not waste much time after his NFL retirement. He became part of the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show in 2008. He co-hosted the show alongside Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Jimmy Johnson. Four-time Super Bowl winner Rob Gronkowski replaced Super Bowl-winning head coach Jimmy Johnson last season.

He also became a staple on ABC’s Good Morning America in 2014 that required him every morning on weekdays. After co-hosting Live With Kelly and Michael alongside Kelly Ripa from 2012 to 2016, he stepped down to become a full-time GMA co-anchor in 2016. Over the years, Strahan has seen his workload reduce further.

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He reportedly makes around $26 million per year through his FOX and ABC contracts and is one of the top earners among studio analysts. The reason is understandable.

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He brings a unique perspective to the panel every Sunday. Moreover, he has also been the emergency tape on many occasions, like he recently did with co-host Bradshaw struggling in the NFC championship game live show. But the NFL legend is well aware he won’t be on the FOX set forever. But that shouldn’t be his complete departure from the broadcasting world either.

“I’m not just going to completely disappear,” Strahan said. “I’ll do FOX until they throw me off of FOX. I don’t want to be 80 years old on FOX, but I’ll stick around a little bit longer.”

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Interestingly, though, Strahan seems to be making a 180-degree turn from what he said in a September 2025 interview with Hello! magazine.

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“Oh, I’m not going anywhere, I’m not stepping away from nothing! I can still do all my jobs and work and still have plenty of time to play golf. So I’ve got the best of both worlds.”

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It makes sense why he would want to stick a little longer with FOX, as it has the highest-rated NFL pregame show. Nonetheless, Michael Strahan has, indeed, kept his hands full with multiple ventures.

He is the cofounder of the talent agency SMAC Entertainment, has launched a self-titled clothing brand, and invested in multiple companies over the years. He has also shown off his business knowledge as a guest shark on ABC’s Shark Tank. He also invests in real estate and is currently looking for a buyer for his LA mansion, valued at $25 million.

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However, the thought of retirement has begun for him. Although he won’t be walking out of FOX soon, the same can’t be said for his other show.

Michael Strahan could be nearing the end of his Good Morning America job

The New York Giants legend has done a great job in balancing his hectic schedule between ABC’s Good Morning America and FOX NFL Sunday. However, according to his latest statement, it seems his time on GMA is nearing its end.

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One of the reasons for it could be to spend more time with his family, especially his daughter, Isabella Strahan. Doctors diagnosed Isabella with a rare and malignant 4-centimeter brain tumor in October 2023.  The family endured a difficult journey through surgeries and treatments before receiving the incredible news in July 2024 that Isabella was cancer-free.

Last year, there were rumors of his leaving the show before ultimately accepting a new contract with a lighter schedule. Following his retirement statement, it remains to be seen how many more years he will be a part of the morning show.

Now, it remains to be seen from which venture the DE will first retire to spend more time with his family.

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Written by

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Priyanko Chakraborty

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Priyanko Chakraborty is an NFL Writer at EssentiallySports, known for delivering trend-driven, data-rich stories that tap directly into what fans are thinking in the moment. With four years of experience across sports and entertainment writing, he blends meticulous research with a strong sense of narrative flow, turning complex on-field action into compelling, accessible analysis. A lifelong football fan, Priyanko has followed the league with passion and precision for years. Jayden Reed’s two-touchdown performance against the Eagles in 2024 remains one of his favorite modern NFL moments. At EssentiallySports, Priyanko specializes in transforming stats into stories and game moments into meaningful insights.

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Kinjal Talreja

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