Michael Strahan in talks to join Kelly Ripa: AP source

Michael Strahan speaks onstage during Usher's New Look Foundation 2012 World Leadership conference on June 20, 2012, in Atlanta, Georgia. / Getty Images

(AP) Michael Strahan is in talks to be named co-host of "Live!" beside Kelly Ripa.

Strahan, 40, a former NFL star and currently a host of "Fox NFL Sunday," was in negotiations to be named as replacement for Regis Philbin, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the source was not authorized to speak about the negotiations.

Pictures: Michael Strahan

Broadcasting & Cable, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, said ABC was expected to announce him as co-host in early September.

Kelly Ripa speaks onstage at the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory on April 14, 2012 in New York City.

/ Getty Images

The syndicated weekday show has left Ripa without a permanent co-host since Philbin left the show in November 2011. Since then, she has welcomed 59 guest co-hosts, some of whom, including Strahan, were under consideration for the permanent job. Strahan has made several guest appearances this year.

A spokeswoman for "Live!" declined to comment on Philbin's replacement.

On Monday, Disney-ABC Domestic Television had said Ripa will officially announce her new partner as he or she joins her on stage for the Sept. 4 broadcast.

Strahan, a former NFL defensive star, also headlined a shortlived Fox sitcom, "Brothers," in 2009.

Philbin, the original "Live!" host, exited at age 80 after presiding more than 28 years alongside several co-hosts.

Ripa became his on-air partner in 2001.

19 Photos

Michael Strahan

[chwick]

don't see this as a good replacement even after 9 long months of trying various people to fill Regis's chair.
Gilman is this the best you could do ?

[tcrackers]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo