Veteran ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale is confronting his fifth battle with cancer, having revealed on Monday that biopsy results confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in his lung and liver cavity. The 86-year-old is set to begin immunotherapy as he faces this latest health challenge.
Mr Vitale, known affectionately as “Dickie V”, expressed his unwavering confidence in a statement released by ESPN. “I’ve beaten melanoma,” he declared. “I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal-cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph-node cancer. I’m four for four and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it five for five.”
Separately, Mr Vitale shared on social media that he had undergone ten days of extensive testing, including scans, MRIs, bloodwork, and a biopsy.
He admitted, “I obviously did not get the report today that I was hoping for when my oncologist called,” but affirmed his intention to “win the battle,” adding: “Now at least I know what I face.” His previous health battles had led to a two-year absence from the airwaves, though he made a return shortly before March Madness in 2025.
A fixture in college basketball, Mr Vitale’s exuberant commentary has provided the soundtrack to some of the sport’s most memorable moments. He is nearing five decades with ESPN, having joined at its launch in 1979, and holds a contract through the 2027-28 season, with a basketball event recently named in his honour. Despite his ongoing health struggles, he frequently expresses how “lucky” he feels to continue working.
His cancer journey began in 2021 with melanoma, followed by treatments for lymphoma. He has also undergone chemotherapy, radiation for vocal-cord cancer, and surgery in summer 2024 to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck, which temporarily left him unable to speak.
Still, Vitale said in his ESPN statement that he feels “fantastic.” And he quickly turned the focus of his statement to his long-running efforts to raise money for pediatric cancer research, notably with next month’s annual gala in his name that has raised more than $105 million in its two-decade history.
“At 86 years young, I’ve lived a hell of a life, and I’m more motivated than ever to raise money for kids battling cancer,” Vitale said, adding that he hopes to raise $12 million with the 21st “Dick Vitale Gala” set for May 1 in Sarasota, Florida.
