Rumors

Veteran ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale is confronting his fifth battle with cancer, having revealed on Monday that biopsy results confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in his lung and liver cavity. The 86-year-old is set to begin immunotherapy as he faces this latest health challenge. Mr Vitale, known affectionately as "Dickie V", expressed his unwavering confidence in a statement released by ESPN. "I've beaten melanoma," he declared. "I've beaten lymphoma. I've beaten vocal-cord cancer. I've beaten lymph-node cancer. I'm four for four and I'm fully confident I'm going to make it five for five." Separately, Mr Vitale shared on social media that he had undergone ten days of extensive testing, including scans, MRIs, bloodwork, and a biopsy. He admitted, "I obviously did not get the report today that I was hoping for when my oncologist called," but affirmed his intention to "win the battle," adding: "Now at least I know what I face." His previous health battles had led to a two-year absence from the airwaves, though he made a return shortly before March Madness in 2025.

AOL

Still, Vitale said in his ESPN statement that he feels “fantastic." And he quickly turned the focus of his statement to his long-running efforts to raise money for pediatric cancer research, notably with next month’s annual gala in his name that has raised more than $105 million in its two-decade history. “At 86 years young, I've lived a hell of a life, and I'm more motivated than ever to raise money for kids battling cancer,” Vitale said, adding that he hopes to raise $12 million with the 21st “Dick Vitale Gala” set for May 1 in Sarasota, Florida.

AOL

Dick Vitale: EMBARRASSING describes the mess in hiring a coach by the @nyknicks front office .They had a guy who has done a quality job in TOM THIBODEAU - if making a change should have your choice guy committed . Being humiliated with all they have sought is pathetic / hire Tom back !

x.com

Dick Vitale: Santa Claus came early for me & my family . Just was on the phone with Dr Rick Brown ( my oncologist ) Dr Ken Meredith ( bloodwork ) They gave me super news that the PET SCAN was clean (NO CANCER ) & my bloodwork was all very good .To many of you I send ?????? & THANK YOU for ur ?????? !

Twitter

His first surgery was supposed to happen on Tuesday, but instead, he received another update revealing on social media Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. He will undergo radiation instead of more surgery to hopefully fix this issue. “I’m sorry to share that I received tough news today from Dr. Zeitels about my throat. The tests on the tissues they removed showed that I have vocal cord cancer and will need 6 weeks of radiation to treat it. Dr. Z tells me that it has an extremely high cure rate, and that radiation, not more surgery, is the best path.

Awful Announcing

Keith Langlois: Pistons owner Tom Gores’ foundation gives $500,000 to Dick Vitale’s V Foundation to combat pediatric cancer

Twitter

Tom Gores: My wife, Holly, and I have long been inspired by Dick Vitale’s tireless efforts to end cancer. This support will help children facing this dreadful disease. On a personal note, it was awesome to see the recent good news on @DickieV’s own cancer battle. Stay well.

Twitter

It might not look like much now, but St. Cecilia’s is famous for having been compared to legendary Rucker Park of New York because of all the big names who came through. Isiah. Magic. Gervin. Also, David Bing. That’s four of the greatest players in NBA history. Joe Dumars, Rick Mahorn and Dennis Rodman of “Bad Boys” Pistons fame. B.J. Armstrong. Chris Webber. Jalen Rose. Derrick Coleman. Steve Smith. Shane Battier. Jimmy Walker and Spencer Haywood and Ralph Simpson and Campy Russell. Dick Vitale (awesome with a capital “A,” baby). Dozens of others.

The Athletic

Longtime ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said the initial shock of the 2020 NCAA tournament being canceled left him despondent. Then Vitale said he quickly became grounded in the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic that's prompted all NCAA spring sports to be canceled and pro sports leagues to be put on hold. "I love March and college basketball as much as anyone. But what's going on is bigger than sports," Vitale told USA TODAY Sports by phone. "When peoples' lives are at risk, basketball goes on the backburner. Initially, I thought postponing the NCAA tournament made more sense. Those three weeks, there's no greater time in sports for mom, dad, grandma and grandpa. But at the end of the day, we're dealing with an infectious disease. I said to myself, 'My friend, you love basketball. But you love people more.'"

USA Today Sports

"There are politicians worried about the economy, and I understand that because no one wants to be out of a job," Vitale said. "But the economy should never come at the expense of people's lives. Seniors should not have to sacrifice for the economy. I want to live, man. My wife wants to live, man. "To the political leaders, forget liberal, conservative, this is not about political agendas. We need to keep the (guidelines) in place." Vitale hosts an annual Gala to raise funds for the V Foundation and pediatric cancer research. He'll invite celebrity sports figures, with Dabo Swinney attending last year. Vitale moved the Gala, usually held in May, to September.

USA Today Sports

Back in December 1979, Dick Vitale called ESPN’s first-ever college basketball telecast. Guess what? Nearly 40 years later, the 80-year old’s still in demand come contract time. ESPN is giving sports TV legend “Dickie V” a new contract extension that will take him through the 2021-2022 season, sources tell Front Office Sports. During a phone interview, Vitale confirmed the new deal that’s scheduled to take him through what would be his 42nd year on ESPN.

FrntOfficeSport.com

Dick Vitale has been synonymous with college basketball on ESPN since the very beginning, and he'll be sticking around a while longer. The gregarious color analyst has agreed to a new contract that carries him through the 2018-19 season, ESPN announced Thursday. The end of the deal coincides with Vitale's 40th anniversary at the network he joined shortly after it went on the air in 1979.

Sporting News

Last season, when he spoke to For The Win, he cited the same reason for why he had no plans for retirement. It’s a point he reiterated again this week. “(This is) going to be my 36th year (on ESPN),” he said. “I told Dan Patrick earlier and I’m going to tell you: My goal is to be the first broadcaster in the history of broadcasting to work at a game when I’m 100 years old.

For The Win

Dick Vitale turns 75 in June. He has been around so long that sports viewers born in 1979, when he began at ESPN, are veering toward middle age. Yet Vitale, the former college and NBA coach, has no intention of getting off the thrill ride that has been his sportscasting career. And why should he? When he walks into arenas, the first sight of the familiar bald head sparks cries of "Awesome, Baby!" and "PTPer" from college kids who still devour his shtick the way their parents did at that age. Vitale absorbs the energy that comes his way as if it would allow him to turn back the clock. "I never have had a problem relating to young kids," Vitale said. "I love being around them. They keep you young. If you didn't tell me I was 74, and if I didn't look in the mirror, I wouldn't even know it."

USA Today Sports