Dick Vitale's resiliency over the last couple of years cannot be overstated.
The legendary ESPN college basketball analyst has battled three different types of cancer since 2020.
Vitale had multiple surgeries to remove a melanoma before being diagnosed with lymphoma in 2021. He announced that he was cancer-free in August 2022, but he was diagnosed with cancer in his vocal cords in July 2023.
Vitale was confident he would prevail again, and he wasn't wrong. He confirmed on Nov. 13 that his cancer was gone, but he added that he would have to delay his return to calling men's college basketball games for ESPN as he works toward a full recovery.
When can you expect to hear Dickie V's iconic voice on ESPN college hoops broadcasts? The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates below.
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Dick Vitale health update
Vitale announced that he was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in July 2023. He received six weeks of radiation treatments and was ordered to rest his voice before returning to the broadcast booth.
In October, Vitale provided another update, revealing his voice had responded well to treatment and that he expected to return for his 45th season of calling college hoops games for ESPN.
On Nov. 13, though, he announced through a press release that he would not be available to return for the Champions Classic as he had hoped.
“While I’m disappointed with the latest developments, I remain hopeful,” Vitale said. “The cancer is gone, which is amazing news, yet the impact of the treatments has taken its toll on my voice and requires more healing.
“With the season started, I am jumping out of my shoes to be back in the college basketball arenas, calling the game I love and being around so many great colleagues and fans," Vitale continued.
"I have to listen to the medical experts, who have been so good to me, and with some more rest, I know I will be back for my 45th season. I’ve been so touched by the amazing response I’ve received.”
The press release added that Vitale had no specific return date but the health of his throat would be monitored closely by his physician, Dr. Steven Zeitels.
On March 6, Vitale provided another update via a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, with Zeitels. Zeitels explained the procedure that he performed on Vitale months ago has begun to show positive results.
"Your left vocal cord is now tremendous," Zeitels told Vitale. "You should be able to begin announcing again. You can get back to what you love to do."
Zeitels doesn't have a timetable for Vitale's full recovery, but the famed broadcaster can use his voice again. Zeitels added that the surgery results were "better than I even thought was possible."
Vitale is hoping to be back in the broadcast booth for the 2024-25 college basketball season, he said.
"I feel today like I won the lottery," Vitale said.
Just had my exam & scoping by Dr Zeitels ( still have the numbness ) thus can’t project like I will but I want you to hear the report from Dr Zeitels . pic.twitter.com/HPSlKtoge1
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) March 6, 2024
How old is Dick Vitale?
Vitale is 84 years old, born on June 9, 1939, in New Jersey.
He is a former high school, college and NBA coach and has been calling college basketball games for ESPN since 1979.
