What do Westwood One/CBS Sports' Boomer Esiason, Olympic gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno, NASCAR's Carl Edwards, ESPN/ABC's onetime "Bachelor" Jesse Palmer & Dolphins' running back Reggie Bush have in common?

The answer is these 5 are serving as guest co-hosts next week on the nationally syndicated "Live with Kelly" next week at 9a locally on WGN's CW9 as part of a sports-themed week of shows. That's the word from "Live's" syndicator ABC Studios & New York flagship station WABC-TV, both units of parent company The Walt Disney Company.

Even though Regis Philbin left "Live" in November & Kelly Ripa signed a 5-year extension to continue fronting the celebrity gabfest, producers have yet to settle on a permanent replacement and have been utilizing guest co-hosts since "Reege" signed off after 28 years. Ratings have actually increased since Philbin left the show.

In Chicago, WGN's CW9 airs "Live" weekdays at 9a.