Dick Vitale, 84, announces his vocal cord cancer ‘is gone’ but delays his return to the broadcast booth because of the impact of treatment on his voice
- Vital defeated lymphoma in 2021 and underwent surgeries to remove the melanoma as well
- He has been a staple of ESPN’s college basketball coverage since 1979
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Hall of Fame college basketball announcer Dick Vitale has revealed that his vocal cord cancer is “gone,” but has postponed his return to the broadcast booth.
“While I am disappointed by the latest developments, I remain hopeful,” Vitale said in an emotional statement on Monday.
‘The cancer is gone, which is great news, but the impact of the treatments has taken its toll on my voice and requires more healing.’
Vitale, 84, was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in July and had hoped to return to work in November after several months of treatment and rest. A new intended return date was not given.
“Now that the season has started, I’m ecstatic to be back in college basketball arenas, calling the game I love and being around so many great colleagues and fans,” Vitale said.
Dick Vitale has announced that his vocal cord cancer is gone, but has postponed his return
Vitale has been a fundamental force in ESPN’s college basketball coverage since its inception
Since 1979, his catchphrase “awesome baby” has become perhaps the most famous in sports
“I have to listen to the medical experts, who have been so good to me, and with a little more rest I know I will be back for my 45th season. I have been so touched by the wonderful response I have received.”
He also posted two images of themselves on X with doctors along with an update stating: ‘Speech therapists Amy and Michelle are helping me recover from the cancer and 35 radiation treatments to my vocal cords.
‘The radiation wiped out the cancer, but damaged my vocal cords. The problem goes away so I can get the BEST MEDICINE of all. I’m sitting at the court.’
Vitale has become a foundational voice in ESPN’s college basketball coverage after hosting the network’s first broadcast in 1979.
“Dick has the full support of his entire ESPN family, and while we look forward to returning to his rightful place at the court, he must focus on fully recovering his vocal cords,” ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement .
“Sports fans around the world will eagerly await his return when he is ready.”
Vital was diagnosed with lymphoma months earlier in 2021 after undergoing several surgeries to remove the melanoma.