GMA absolutely "had to have" Michael Strahan and paid him a fortune to move him off 'Live' because that's the way the BIG boss at Disney wanted it.
Sources connected to Strahan's blockbuster deal -- going full-time at GMA -- tell us Disney CEO Bob Iger himself made the call to grab Kelly Ripa's co-host because he's an "everyday man" who connects with the audience.
Truth is, ABC is doing everything it can to fend off a 'Today' show comeback in the ratings. As a result, we're told GMA will be "reformatted in September" to play to Strahan's strengths.