Dick Vitale gets emotional reflecting on ESPN return after battling cancer

ESPN college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale had an emotional moment at the end of the ACC men’s basketball championship game Saturday, expressing how grateful he was to be back in the broadcast booth after nearly two years away due to health issues.

“It’s been, to me, a miracle, really, to sit here with you guys. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me,” said Vitale, whose voice cracked as tears welled in his eyes. “It’s been unbelievable. It’s been a tough three years, those four cancer battles.”

Vitale, 85, missed almost two full seasons due to an extensive cancer battle. He returned to the ESPN airwaves on Feb. 8 for the first time since calling the national championship game in April 2023.

This week, he called the ACC tournament alongside Dave O’Brien and Cory Alexander.

“I can’t tell you how much it’s meant to me. Really, it’s been unbelievable.”@DickieV gets emotional thanking the fans and the broadcast for supporting him through his cancer treatments pic.twitter.com/F8ndycDWC8

— ESPN (@espn) March 16, 2025

Vitale, a Hall of Fame broadcaster and college hoops icon, spent the past three years battling melanoma, lymphoma and vocal cord and lymph node cancers. He announced he was cancer-free in January and was originally slated to return to ESPN broadcasts on Jan. 25, but then an accident suffered at his Flordia home delayed him for another two weeks.

Vitale said Saturday’s ACC final would be his last game of the season, followed by a week of doctor-prescribed “voice rest,” but he hopes to return for the 2025-26 season.

“I’m praying, hoping I can be back next year,” Vitale said in the final moments of Duke’s 73-62 victory over Louisville. “Maybe even better — and hope and pray my doctor really helps me with my voice.”

He wrote last month that he’s been through multiple surgeries, 65 radiation treatments, chemotherapy and stretches when he had no voice at all.

“I want to thank all the fans, too, and all the people who have been so beautiful. All my people at ESPN tolerating and putting up with me in terms of my issues I’ve had,” Vitale said. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“You’re the best, pal. You’re the best,” O’Brien said as he and Alexander sat with arms around their broadcast partner.

Vitale closed with an impassioned message for those suffering from cancer.

“I don’t wish it on anybody. Cancer sucks,” he said. “I’ll tell you this: Anybody battling cancer, please, listen — think positively, always, and have faith and believe.”

GO DEEPER

He’s awesome, baby! The Dick Vitale you don’t see on TV

(Photo: Randy Sartin / Imagn Images)