ESPN Makes Major Dick Vitale Announcement on Monday

The announcement also introduced something new: the first-ever Dick Vitale Invitational.

The inaugural game of the Dick Vitale Invitational is expected to be played on Nov. 4 in Charlotte. It features a heavyweight matchup between the Duke Blue Devils and the Texas Longhorns, with Vitale calling the game live on ESPN.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro shared a heartfelt statement.

“Dick is the heart of college basketball, and his kindness, generosity and courage are a constant inspiration to us all,” Pitaro said. “Through the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, we will celebrate him and his profound impact on the sport. We are also thrilled that Dick will remain a signature voice on ESPN through the 2027-28 season.”

Vitale was overjoyed with the announcement and expressed deep gratitude:

“ESPN has been such a vital part of my life since December 5, 1979, and I was so thrilled to learn that ESPN Events will have an annual Dick Vitale Invitational,” Vitale said. “Jimmy Pitaro and all my colleagues and friends at ESPN have been so good to me and I am so thankful for all of the prayers and love I have received from them during my cancer battles.”

He added:

“ESPN has been family to me and has given me a life that has been even better than my dreams. To the Vitale family, ESPN is ‘Awesome, baby’ with a capital A!”

Vitale turned 86 on Monday and has bravely battled several health issues in recent years. In June 2024, he was diagnosed with lymph node cancer and underwent surgery. On Dec. 13, he shared uplifting news: he was cancer-free once again.