Dick Vitale Returns to Broadcasting After Battling Cancer

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale will return to the airwaves for the first time in nearly two years, calling the Duke–Wake Forest men’s basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 25, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The 85-year-old Hall of Famer has battled four types of cancer over the past three and a half years, most recently undergoing surgery in the summer of 2024 after a biopsy revealed cancer in a lymph node in his neck.

Vitale, who announced on Jan. 8 that he is now cancer-free, expressed his excitement about returning to the broadcast booth. “I am absolutely ecstatic, and I can’t believe this is happening after going through five major vocal cord surgeries, 65 radiation treatments, and chemotherapy for six months,” Vitale said. “It’s been a very tough journey, but all of the prayers and messages from the beautiful fans have inspired me.”

Vitale’s health struggles began in 2021 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma, just months after undergoing surgeries to remove melanoma. He announced he was cancer-free in 2022, only to be diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in 2023, which required radiation treatment. His last broadcast was on April 3, 2023, when he called the international broadcast of the NCAA men’s basketball championship game between San Diego State and UConn for ESPN.

Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN’s chairman, praised Vitale’s resilience and dedication. “There is no better ambassador for the sport of college basketball than Dick Vitale. Even while navigating his own health challenges, Dick continued to look for ways to give back and help others, inspiring us all,” Pitaro said. “Dick is one-of-a-kind, and we can’t wait to have him back doing what he loves most on ESPN on Jan. 25.”

Vitale joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season, shortly after the network’s launch, and called its first major NCAA basketball game on Dec. 5, 1979. Over his four-decade career, he has called more than 1,000 games and was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in September 2024. His return to the booth marks a triumphant comeback after a grueling health battle.

Vitale’s passion for the game remains undiminished. “I just hope that I can offer the people some basketball insights that can bring even more excitement to the game,” he said. Fans and colleagues alike are eagerly anticipating his return, celebrating not only his contributions to the sport but also his remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.