Dick Vitale’s anticipated return to broadcasting has been postponed due to an accident that occurred at his residence in Florida, following his recent cancer treatments.
On Saturday, Vitale shared that he would be absent from the upcoming game between No. 3 Duke and Wake Forest, citing short-term physical challenges as a result of the accident. The 85-year-old analyst clarified that the incident was unrelated to his cancer diagnosis and expressed optimism regarding his recovery.
As of now, no specific timeline has been provided for when he will be back on air. “I’m devastated that I won’t be courtside with my ESPN buddy Dave O’Brien and with all the players and fans, especially because of the overwhelming response I received when news of my planned return was announced,” Vitale expressed. He has been looking forward to experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of college basketball after nearly a two-year hiatus.
Vitale recently announced that he is cancer-free after enduring four battles with the illness over the last three years. This summer, he underwent surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck. Previously, he has faced treatment for melanoma and lymphoma, as well as radiation for vocal cord cancer last year.
In a post shared on X, Vitale mentioned, “I’m sorry that I am unable to post about sports, but I’m recovering from a tough fall and being kept active at the hospital.” He added that the neurosurgeons informed him he is making significant progress and that surgery would not be needed.
A Basketball Hall of Famer, Vitale has been an integral part of ESPN since its inception in 1979, famously calling the network’s first-ever college basketball broadcast. He is also well-known for his philanthropic efforts in cancer research, notably supporting his friend Jim Valvano at the 1993 ESPYs, where Valvano delivered his inspirational “Don’t give up” speech before succumbing to cancer just a couple of months later.
