Dick Vitale didn’t let it on publicly, but the legendary analyst was reportedly “deeply” hurt when ESPN removed him from calling Duke-UNC games in 2015. Vitale had spent 35 years color commentating the storied rivalry, but the network opted to replace him with Jay Bilas, a decision made by then-ESPN president John Skipper. “That really, … Read more
Awesome baby! Dick Vitale, 86, signed a contract extension with ESPN through the 2027-28 season Monday. That was not the only present he received on his birthday. ESPN also announced the Dick Vitale Invitational, which will take place in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 4, 2025. This year’s matchup will feature Duke and Texas. “ESPN has … Read more
Dick Vitale is cancer free. The legendary college basketball broadcaster, who has dealt with four bouts of cancer since first being diagnosed in 2021, shared the happy news on social media Thursday. “SANTA CLAUS came early as Dr Rick Brown called & said that my PET SCAN at 7 AM came back CLEAN OF CANCER … Read more
Nothing can stop Dick Vitale — including his fandom of the Rays. The legendary ESPN college basketball broadcaster was spotted in the stands with his grandchildren during Tuesday night’s matchup between the Yankees and the Rays, getting a spotlight from YES Network and well wishes from play-by-play man Michael Kay. Vitale later thanked Kay for … Read more
The sports media world received disheartening news Friday afternoon. Longtime ESPN college basketball commentator Dick Vitale shared that he is once again fighting cancer and that he will undergo surgery Tuesday. Vitale, 85, noted that he was notified of the diagnosis after he had a biopsy done for a lymph node in his neck. “With … Read more
Venerable ESPN college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale is on the comeback trail. The 84-year-old Vitale released an emotional video to Tampa Bay Times reporter Joey Knight on Monday, revealing that it was the first time he has spoken in seven months while battling vocal cord cancer, as well as his plans to return to the … Read more
Dick Vitale, the venerable ESPN college basketball analyst, revealed a new cancer diagnosis on Wednesday. Vitale, who previously battled melanoma and Lymphoma, had vocal cord tissue removed and analyzed at Mass General in Boston earlier this week. After the analysis, Vitale announced he will be undergoing radiation to treat vocal cord cancer. “I’m sorry to … Read more
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 … Read more