Dick Vitale has an extension with ESPN — and a college basketball event in his honor
Dick Vitale is inextricably intertwined with college basketball, with his iconic voice, exuberant style and enthusiastic catchphrases melding into a soundtrack for nearly five decades of the sport's history.
And the broadcasting great's influence is sticking around next season, too, both in person on game days and through an addition to the college basketball calendar named in his honor.
Advertisement
ESPN announced Monday that Vitale has signed a contract through the 2027-28 season, while ESPN Events is launching the Dick Vitale Invitational — the first matchup coming with a season-opening tilt between Duke and Texas on Nov. 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Fittingly, the announcement comes on Vitale's 86th birthday, and months after he returned to the airwaves after being gone for two years amid a fourth battle with cancer. The Basketball Hall of Famer, also a former college and NBA coach, has been with ESPN since it launched in 1979 and called the network's first college basketball broadcast.
'So many times, awards and honors come to people after they're long gone,' Vitale said of the Invitational's birth in an interview with The Associated Press. 'And to get it while you're living is just a great, great feeling.'
___
AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tyler Adams to miss US-Switzerland friendly because of foot injury
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams will miss Tuesday night's friendly against Switzerland because of a foot injury. 'I hope it's not a big issue,' coach Mauricio Pochettino said Monday. 'I think we can manage in a good way and rest him a few days and then see if he can be ready for the Gold Cup.' Advertisement Adams played the second half of Saturday's 2-1 loss to Turkey. The Americans open the CONCACAF Gold Cup against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday. They already are missing are Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, Antonee Robinson, Sergiño Dest, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna. Some are hurt, some want time off and some will be at the Club World Cup. The U.S. will be trying to avoid its first four-game losing streak since dropping five straight in 2007. Pochettino praised goalkeeper Matt Freese, who made his debut against Turkey in place of Matt Turner, the U.S. starter since 2022. Turner did not play for Crystal Palace after March 1. Advertisement 'He was very, very good,' Pochettino said. 'Things that he needs to prove? Of course. But he needs to play and needs games with the national team. ... He has amazing potential. Yes, it's a good competition for us, now to discover than he can cope with the pressure to play in front of the national team.' ___ AP soccer:
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Cowboys Star Seen as Potential NFL Minicamp Skip Candidate
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. When a prominent NFL player wants a new deal, you can bet that skipping offseason activities could be in play. This week, the Dallas Cowboys are keeping focus on their edge rusher, Micah Parsons, who just might be a skip candidate when mandatory minicamp fires up on Tuesday. At the top of the week, ESPN put together a list of the NFL's most notable skip candidates. To no surprise, Parsons pops up as his quest for a new deal remains one of the most-talked-about situations in the NFC. "Parsons was in and out of the offseason program, but was not part of the OTAs," ESPN noted. "He said he will be at the minicamp, but it's not known how much on-field work -- if any -- he will do. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Parsons has remained connected to the team even if he has not attended everything. Perhaps showing up to the minicamp can jump-start the contract." While Parsons' extension is still on hold, there doesn't seem to be a ton of worry coming from either side. Parsons continues to assure everybody that he will be around the team as the business side gets worked out. Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer publicly stated he's been on solid terms with his defensive star throughout his first offseason as the head coach. EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2024... EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys lines up before the snap during an NFL football game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 26, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Cowboys' Micah Parsons receives huge update on Week 10 availability. MoreIn case anybody was skeptical of that, Parsons' viral video on Sunday night proved that Schottenheimer and Parsons are on great terms. When Parsons made a round of calls to his Cowboy teammates to partake in a TikTok trend, he wrapped everything up with a call to Schottenheimer. The video showed the head coach giving Parsons an inspiring message before the call was concluded. "I know this is weird for everybody, man, but look, you're handling everything the right way, bro," said Schottenheimer. "This thing's going to get worked out. Again, I'm thrilled to see where we take this thing, man. We're building something special and you're going to be a huge part of it, bro." Parsons, all smiles, received the message well. When it comes to the Parsons situation in Dallas, nobody seems to be playing hardball at the moment. While Parsons' level of participation at minicamp won't be clear until Tuesday, at the earliest, his presence would be a major confidence-booster for the Cowboys. Soon, the defensive end could find himself earning one of the biggest paydays in the league, but the wait continues this week.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale agrees to contract extension with ESPN through 2027-28 season
The biggest name in college-basketball broadcasting is sticking around for a few more years. Legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale signed a contract extension with ESPN through the 2027-28 season, the network announced Monday. The announcement comes on the same day ESPN announced a college-basketball event in Vitale's name. The Dick Vitale Invitational will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina on Nov. 4. The inaugural game will feature Texas and Duke. Advertisement The new deal will see Vitale, who has been with the network since 1979, reach nearly 50 years with ESPN. In a statement, he thanked the company for supporting him over the years. 'ESPN has been such a vital part of my life since December 5, 1979, and I was so thrilled to learn that ESPN Events will have an annual Dick Vitale Invitational,' said Vitale. 'Jimmy Pitaro and all my colleagues and friends at ESPN have been so good to me and I am so thankful for all of the prayers and love I have received from them during my cancer battles. ESPN has been family to me and has given me a life that has been even better than my dreams. To the Vitale family, ESPN is 'Awesome, baby' with a capital A!' Over his career, Vitale, 86, developed a reputation as an energetic and boisterous broadcasters who has coined a number of catchphrases. In 2021, Vitale announced he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He missed most of the season while dealing with the disease. Vitale announced he was cancer-free in 2022. After dealing with vocal-chord issues, Vitale announced in 2023 he was dealing with vocal-chord cancer. He announced he was cancer-free in January, and ready to return to ESPN. He was able to call games near the end of the college-basketball season, and said he was hoping to return next season.
