ESPN's Dick Vitale makes emotional broadcasting return after cancer battle: 'This is like my Super Bowl'

Legendary ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale is finally back in the booth.

On Saturday, Vitale made his long-awaited return to the ESPN airwaves as the color commentator for the Duke-Clemenson game held at Clemson's Littlejohn Coliseum. The crowd was quick to rally behind the 85-year-old broadcasting veteran at what marked his first time as commentator since April 2023. The in-arena announcer made sure to turn the spotlight to Vitale, who received a riotous standing ovation.

"Tonight, we celebrate the return of a true legend," the announcer began. "For over four decades, his passion, energy and unmistakable voice have defined the game we love. After a two-year battle with cancer, he's back where he belongs. Courtside, calling the action and inspiring us all."

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The 45-year ESPN veteran, who has battled four different types of cancer in the past three and a half years, was understandably emotional when it came time to address the crowd.

"I want to say thanks to all the people. The reception here has been really off the charts," Vitale said while fighting back tears. "I'm sorry for being so emotional— I can't tell you how excited I am to be here."

He continued, "This is like my Super Bowl. To be able to sit courtside and do a game, it beats the hell out of chemotherapy and radiation. And I want to say to all cancer patients out there: Please, listen to me, think positive and have faith. And keep fighting and fighting. I know what you're going through and it's not fun."

Vitale received treatment for melanoma and lymphoma in 2021, and couldn’t speak for four months after undergoing surgery for precancerous dysplasia and ulcerous lesions the same year. Though he was declared cancer free by 2022, Vitale was next diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in 2023. In June 2024, he announced yet another diagnosis, and underwent surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck. In ate December, Vitale announced that he had once again been declared cancer-free.

Throughout the medical battle, Vitale has dedicated time to raising funds for cancer research.

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Prior to his work in broadcasting, Vitale coached the Detroit Titans for four seasons and coached the Detroit Pistons for the 1978-79 season, before being fired 12 games into the following season. That same year, he announced the first-ever college basketball game shown on ESPN.

Vitale is a member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. Across his career, he has played both fictional sportscasters and exaggerated versions of himself in movies like The Naked Gun, He Got Game, and Love & Basketball.

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