ESPN Makes Major Dick Vitale Announcement on Sunday
Legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale is primed for yet another year with ESPN.
The 2025-26 college basketball season marked the final season of Vitale's current contract with the network. But on Sunday night, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro announced a two-year contract extension for the 85-year-old analyst.
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Pitaro shared the announcement at the 20th annual Dick Vitale Gala on Sunday, according to college basketball insider Dick Weiss.
"Here's some good news. Dick Vitale was headed into final year of his contract with ESPN. president Jimmy Pitaro just announced at gala network had added two more years which should take dick to 88," Weiss wrote on X.
Vitale battled four different types of cancer over the last few years, but was deemed cancer free after a doctor's appointment on Jan. 8 and cleared to return to his broadcasting duties.
Vitale thanked Pitaro by name in his cancer-free announcement earlier this year.
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"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. I can't thank Jimmy Pitaro and all of my ESPN colleagues who I consider my second family enough for the love they showed me through such a tough time. I just hope I can offer the people some basketball insights that can bring even more excitement to the game."
Popular college basketball analyst Dick VitaleEvert Nelson / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Vitale made his return to the broadcast desk for a college basketball matchup between Duke and Wake Forest on Jan. 25.
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"There is no better ambassador for the sport of college basketball than Dick Vitale," Pitaro added in his statement. "Even while navigating his own health challenges, Dick continued to look for ways to give back and help others, inspiring us all. Dick is one-of-a-kind and we can't wait to have him back doing what he loves most on ESPN on January 25."
The 20th Dick Vitale Gala raised $12.5 million for the V Foundation, bringing the 20-year total to over $100 million for pediatric cancer research.
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