Latest news with #Vitale
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
ESPN signs Dick Vitale to extension, creates annual event in his honor
Additionally, ESPN unveiled the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, an annual men's college basketball event that will honor the color commentator and former coach. The inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational will feature Duke against Texas on Nov. 4 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. REQUIRED READING: The 2025 NBA draft deadline has passed. Who are the college basketball winners and losers? "I couldn't believe it when I got the call from ESPN," Vitale said to ESPN. "They said, 'we want to have a big game called the Dick Vitale Invitational.' I said, 'are you serious?!' All of the people at ESPN, starting with (ESPN chairman) Jimmy Pitaro, and all of my friends and colleagues have been so great to me especially with my recent battles with cancer. They've been by my side from day one and to do this is unbelievable. Long after I'm gone, to still have a game out there with my name attached to it? Wow, that is truly unbelievable!" Vitale has been with ESPN since 1979, joining as a college basketball analyst shortly after the network went on the air. During that time, he has called over 1,000 games and become synonymous with ESPN's college basketball coverage with his high energy, colorful personality and famous catchphrases. His latest contract will stretch his ESPN tenure to nearly 50 years. Vitale's on-air work has earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. In April, he received the Dean Smith Award, which is given out annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to "an individual in college basketball who embodies the spirit and values" of the iconic former North Carolina coach. Vitale has been a more infrequent presence on ESPN over the past several years as he has undergone treatment for various forms of cancer. He called his first game in nearly two years in February, when Clemson upset No. 2 Duke. "Dick is the heart of college basketball, and his kindness, generosity and courage are a constant inspiration to us all," Pitaro said in a statement. "Through the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, we will celebrate him and his profound impact on the sport. We are also thrilled that Dick will remain a signature voice on ESPN through the 2027-28 season."
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Dick Vitale signs contract extension as ESPN announces annual game in his honor
Awesome baby! Dick Vitale, 86, signed a contract extension with ESPN through the 2027-28 season Monday. That was not the only present he received on his birthday. Advertisement ESPN also announced the Dick Vitale Invitational, which will take place in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 4, 2025. This year's matchup will feature Duke and Texas. 'ESPN has been such a vital part of my,' Vitale said. 'I was so thrilled to learn that ESPN Events will have an annual Dick Vitale Invitational.' Dick Vitale is pictured in 2021. AP Advertisement The legendary college basketball color commentator has been with ESPN since 1979. During his career, he has coined many legendary catch phrases, including 'it's awesome baby' and 'diaper dandy' for talented freshmen. Unfortunately, those lines have not been heard on the airwaves for quite some time. Vitale announced that he was diagnosed with and underwent surgery for melanoma near his nose om August 2021. Advertisement Just three months later, he was diagnosed with cancer again. This time, his diagnosis was lymphoma. Once again, he was able to claim victory over cancer, announcing he was cancer-free in 2022. Advertisement He was even able to return to television to call ESPN's international broadcast of UConn's 2023 NCAA Tournament championship game victory over San Diego State. Dick Vitale at a press conference in 2021. Getty Images Still, cancer continued to try to get in his way. In July 2023, he was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. \After radiation treatments, he was advised by doctors to rest his voice, forcing him to miss the 2023-2024 season. Vitale had to fight cancer one more time in June 2024 as cancer was found a lymph node in his neck. But in the end, Vitale defeated it again. Advertisement On X, Vitale said that this was 'my national championship.' Vitale's return to broadcasting happened in February 2025 when he called a regular-season matchup between Duke and Clemson.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
ESPN signs Dick Vitale to multi-year extension, creates annual event in his honor
ESPN signs Dick Vitale to multi-year extension, creates annual event in his honor Show Caption Hide Caption Dick Vitale talks cancer awareness and Clemson vs Duke basketball game Dick Vitale ESPN tv personality talks cancer awareness and Clemson vs Duke basketball game On his 86th birthday, Dick Vitale got a pair of gifts he won't soon forget. The legendary ESPN college basketball analyst has signed a multi-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season, the network announced on June 9. Additionally, ESPN unveiled the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, an annual men's college basketball event that will honor the color commentator and former coach. The inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational will feature Duke against Texas on Nov. 4 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. REQUIRED READING: The 2025 NBA draft deadline has passed. Who are the college basketball winners and losers? 'I couldn't believe it when I got the call from ESPN,' Vitale said to ESPN. 'They said, 'we want to have a big game called the Dick Vitale Invitational.' I said, 'are you serious?!' All of the people at ESPN, starting with (ESPN chairman) Jimmy Pitaro, and all of my friends and colleagues have been so great to me especially with my recent battles with cancer. They've been by my side from day one and to do this is unbelievable. Long after I'm gone, to still have a game out there with my name attached to it? Wow, that is truly unbelievable!' Vitale has been with ESPN since 1979, joining as a college basketball analyst shortly after the network went on the air. During that time, he has called over 1,000 games and become synonymous with ESPN's college basketball coverage with his high energy, colorful personality and famous catchphrases. His latest contract will stretch his ESPN tenure to nearly 50 years. Vitale's on-air work has earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. In April, he received the Dean Smith Award, which is given out annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to 'an individual in college basketball who embodies the spirit and values' of the iconic former North Carolina coach. Vitale has been a more infrequent presence on ESPN over the past several years as he has undergone treatment for various forms of cancer. He called his first game in nearly two years in February, when Clemson upset No. 2 Duke. 'Dick is the heart of college basketball, and his kindness, generosity and courage are a constant inspiration to us all,' Pitaro said in a statement. 'Through the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, we will celebrate him and his profound impact on the sport. We are also thrilled that Dick will remain a signature voice on ESPN through the 2027-28 season.'
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dick Vitale Predicts Winner of Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals
Dick Vitale Predicts Winner of Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Anticipation is high as the NBA Finals tip off Thursday night, with the Indiana Pacers set to face the league-best Oklahoma City Thunder, who finished the regular season with an impressive 68–14 record. Advertisement While the Thunder have continued their dominant run through the playoffs, the Pacers—who entered as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference—have carved out a Cinderella story of their own. They've notched multiple comeback wins and dispatched all three of their postseason opponents in six games or fewer. On Wednesday, ESPN released its full slate of Finals predictions, with 29 of 32 personalities picking the Thunder to win it all. Notably absent from the list was legendary commentator Dick Vitale, but he still shared his take on social media—revealing who he believes will capture their first NBA title between the Thunder and Pacers. "My VBDI says @okcthunder will win the 2025 @NBA championship in 6 games over @Pacers," Vitale posted. While Vitale is beloved by fans, not everyone shared his outlook on the series. Some supporters believe Indiana could continue its run and pull off a stunning upset. Advertisement "I'm gonna go veteran coaching that wins this than the players. Go PACERS," a fan said. "Sorry DickieV! Pacers in 6," another fan posted. Someone else added, "Awesome I don't even need to watch." One more fan commented, "Interesting prediction... Thunder in 6 could be a solid call." ESPN analyst Dick Vitale© Randy Sartin-Imagn Images The odds are certainly stacked against Indiana, who are led by All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton and veteran forward Pascal Siakam. According to ESPN BET, the Thunder enter the series as heavy favorites at minus-700, backed by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a deep, balanced roster. Adding to the challenge for the Pacers, the Thunder won both regular-season matchups between the teams—both high-scoring affairs with each team eclipsing the 100-point mark. Advertisement Related: Charles Barkley Names Greatest Player in NBA History Without Hesitation This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NCAA Reacts to Major Dick Vitale News on Monday
NCAA Reacts to Major Dick Vitale News on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Monday marks the 86th birthday of legendary broadcaster and TV personality Dick Vitale, who has overcome numerous challenges to achieve a truly iconic career in the basketball world. Advertisement 'Yes, hello 86! Today I celebrate my birthday—wow, only 14 years from 100! When I walk into @DukeMBB to be the first @espn announcer to call a game at 100… as Francis Albert Sinatra sang: 'Young at Heart',' Vitale posted on X. In celebration of his milestone birthday, ESPN announced that on November 4, the Texas Longhorns and Duke Blue Devils will face off in a regular-season matchup officially titled the Dick Vitale Invitational—marking the inaugural edition of what is set to become a prestigious annual event. Shortly after the announcement, the NCAA highlighted the news and shared its own reaction to the tribute, recognizing the significance of two powerhouse programs participating in a game honoring one of college basketball's most beloved figures. "Marquee early-season matchup," NCAA posted. "Texas and Duke will meet in the inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational." The game will be played in Charlotte, North Carolina, effectively making it a home game for the Blue Devils—one of the programs Vitale has become synonymous with during his decades of calling games for ESPN. Advertisement In recent years, Vitale has faced multiple battles with cancer, each time defying the odds and emerging victorious. This past season, after some time away from the mic, he made a triumphant return to broadcasting alongside longtime colleagues. ESPN college basketball analyst Dick VitaleEvert Nelson / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In May, Vitale shared the uplifting news that he remains cancer-free and affirmed his full intention to continue calling games for ESPN—a network he's been a part of for nearly 50 years. Related: Dick Vitale Predicts Winner of Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
