Since retiring in 2007, Michael Strahan has developed one of the most high-profile platforms in all of media.
But in an interview with Town & Country released Oct. 29, the 52-year-old Strahan surprisingly revealed he could give it up sooner than anyone thinks.
In the interview, the host of Good Morning America and Fox NFL Sunday opened up on his efforts to treat his daughter Isabella’s brain cancer and how it helped him to reevaluate his priorities. While Strahan doesn’t plan to disappear from television soon, he’s at least planting the seeds for an exit.
“I’m not planning on retiring anytime soon. I will at some point, and I’d like to say a lot sooner than a lot of people probably think I will,” Strahan told T&C. “When I do it, it will be because I just want to have the freedom to be with (Isabella) and her sister, and her other sister and brother. Wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, I want to be there.”
Strahan missed time on GMA and Fox while Isabella received treatment, and said getting his priorities straight while still receiving support from his colleagues helped him a great deal. In particular, GMA cohost and breast cancer survivor Robin Roberts came to Isabella’s aid.
That camaraderie, along with the breadth of the show, is keeping Strahan on GMA.
“I love it because I never expected to be there, after all those years playing football, football commentary, then daytime television,” Strahan said. “I love it because it’s engaging, different, and fun, and keeps me interested. I have to learn so much about so many things. I love the whole team. Everything I have done in my life has been as part of being a team. I absolutely love that.”
Strahan reportedly signed a new four-year contract with ABC in 2021. Less is known about his contract status at Fox.
Strahan also teased retirement in an interview last year with Graham Bensinger.
