Dick Vitale to undergo additional vocal cord surgeries: ‘Frustrating’

Dick Vitale will undergo two additional vocal cord surgeries this summer, the legendary college basketball announcer said in a Tweet on Thursday. 

The first surgery is scheduled for July 11 and Vitale said he is hopeful to be back behind the mic for his 45th season on the ESPN college hoops broadcast. 

“The biggest challenge is that I am currently on voice rest in preparation for surgery on July 11 & post surgery I must be on total voice rest for 6-8 weeks in recovery,” Vitale wrote. “That part is so frustrating as I feel trapped not being able to express myself.” 

The 84-year-old had surgery for dysplasia and ulcerated lesions of the vocal cord in February 2022, but his surgeon, Dr. Zeitels, notified Vitale that the problem has returned. 

Vitale was sidelined for parts of the 2021-22 college basketball season due to his vocal cord issues. 

“I will NEVER GIVE UP!” Vitale said in his Tweet. 

Vitale does have real fight in him.

The star analyst beat both an August 2021 diagnosis of melanoma and October 2021 diagnosis of lymphoma. 

The former high school, college and NBA coach announced himself cancer-free in August 2022.

Vitale is currently in the last year of his ESPN contract extension that goes through the 2023-24 season, however, it’s widely understood that he’s got a seat in the broadcast booth until he decides to call it quits. 

For Vitale, though, he’s exactly where he wants to be and is determined to get back following recovery. 

“I’m living the American dream,” Vitale said, according to ESPN. “I learned from my mom and dad, who didn’t have a formal education, but had doctorates of love. They told me that if you gave 110 percent all the time, a lot of beautiful things will happen. I may not always be right, but no one can ever accuse me of not having a genuine love and passion for whatever I do.”