Dick Vitale, College Basketball's Most Iconic Voice, Fights Melanoma With the Same Fire He Brought to the Booth
Dick Vitale just announced he's battling melanoma in his lung and liver cavity, and he's already told us exactly how this story ends: with another win. The Hall of Fame ESPN broadcaster, 86 years old and tougher than a defensive showcase, says he's starting immunotherapy soon and he's not backing down from the fight.
"I've beaten melanoma. I've beaten lymphoma. I've beaten vocal cord cancer. I've beaten lymph node cancer," Vitale said in a statement Monday. "I'm four-for-four and I'm fully confident I'm going to make it five-for-five."
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This is Vitale's fifth cancer battle in recent years. Most recently, he had surgery in the summer of 2024 after a biopsy showed cancer in a lymph node in his neck. But the man didn't let that slow him down. After a nearly two-year break to deal with his health, he came back to broadcasting in February of last year, announcing he was cancer-free and ready to work.
Just wrapped up his 46th year covering college basketball at ESPN. Forty-six years. The guy has called well over 1,000 games and his fingerprints are all over the modern college game. Back in September 2024, he was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. That's the kind of legacy we're talking about here.
The Support System Behind the Fight
Vitale made sure to thank everyone who's had his back. "I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I've received from so many people," he said. He credited his family and his ESPN family, specifically Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, for keeping him fired up to keep swinging.
"The best news I can share today is this: I feel fantastic," Vitale added.
Vitale joined ESPN during the 1979-80 season, right after the network launched, and called the network's first major NCAA basketball game on December 5, 1979. He's been a constant presence ever since, defining what it means to be passionate about the game.
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