NEW YORK, July 6 (UPI) — Michael Strahan is pitchman no more.
Since jumping from “Live With Kelly and Michael” to “Good Morning America” full-time, the former football player is a now an employee of ABC and prohibited from endorsing products, the New York Post’s Page Six reported.
Strahan was not subject to the same rules with his former Disney/ABC Domestic Television contract. Kelly Ripa, his former co-host, does commercials for Colgate toothpaste and Electrolux appliances.
Strahan’s deals with Metamucil and Pizza Hut are toast, E! News reported.
“Michael’s endorsements are set to expire in the next few months and won’t be renewed,” ABC said in a statement to E!. “His clothing line [with J.C. Penney] will continue, and he’s held to the same disclosure standard as anyone else at ABC News.”
If there is a story that might cause a conflict of interest, ABC said, Strahan won’t cover it or will disclose the conflict.
Yes, it will affect his bank account, but not for long.
“When Michael’s endorsement deals end he’ll definitely be out seven figures BUT he’s making that back with his new contract so he’s really not out anything,” said Ryan Schinman, CEO of RBS Celebrity Booking.
“When he was on ‘Live!’ with Kelly he was allowed to do these deals but now with working for a news organization it is a perceived conflict of interest. On the brand side, he’s such a pleasure to work with and I know many companies are not happy about him not being on their potential hit lists anymore,” Schinman said.
Strahan, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, exited ‘Live!’ in May after three years on the show.
