Dick Vitale announces new cancer diagnosis: ‘I plan on winning this battle’
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Legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale has been diagnosed with melanoma.
Vitale announced that news in a statement via ESPN on Monday afternoon. Vitale said his oncologist informed him on Monday that he has melanoma in his lung and liver cavity.
This is Vitale’s fifth run-in with cancer and his second with melanoma specifically. He said in a statement that he’s also defeated lymphoma, vocal cord cancer and lymph node cancer.
“I will be starting immunotherapy shortly and I plan on winning this battle,” Vitale said in the statement.
“I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I’ve received from so many people. I’m incredibly blessed to have my family beside me, and my ESPN family — led by chairman Jimmy Pitaro — has been absolutely terrific. Their support has inspired me to keep fighting and I will do everything in my power to win another battle.”
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Last week, Vitale shared that he had received concerning news after a routine scan. Vitale was most-recently declared cancer-free in late 2024 after defeating lymph node cancer.
Vitale has worked for ESPN as a broadcaster and analyst since 1979. He’s also been a consistent champion of the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research, which honors the legacy of former NC State coach Jim Valvano.
The Jimmy V Foundation’s annual gala is set for May 1.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
