Dick Vitale Announces New Melanoma Diagnosis

ESPN Hall of Fame broadcaster Dick Vitale announced Monday that he has been diagnosed with melanoma in his lung and liver cavity and will soon begin immunotherapy.

Vitale, a prominent figure in men's college basketball, has previously battled four different types of cancer. He underwent surgery in the summer of 2024 after a biopsy of a lymph node in his neck revealed cancer.

"I've beaten melanoma. I've beaten lymphoma. I've beaten vocal cord cancer. I've beaten lymph node cancer," Vitale, 86, said in a statement. "I'm four-for-four and I'm fully confident I'm going to make it five-for-five."

After a nearly two-year hiatus to focus on his health, Vitale returned to broadcasting in February of last year, having previously announced he was cancer-free. He recently concluded his 46th year covering college basketball for ESPN.

"I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I've received from so many people," Vitale stated. "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."

"The best news I can share today is this: I feel fantastic."

Vitale joined ESPN in the 1979-80 season, shortly after the network's launch, and called its first major NCAA basketball game on December 5, 1979. He has since broadcast over 1,000 games and was inducted into the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame in September 2024.