Iconic college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale is postponing his return to the broadcast booth after suffering an accident at his Florida home. On Friday, ESPN had announced that Vitale would make his return to the broadcast for next Saturday's Duke-Wake Forest game.
Vitale has not been in the booth since 2023 as he has battled four different cancers over the last three years. Vitale announced he was cancer-free earlier this month, and was ready to come back to broadcasting before this setback.
“I’m sorry to have to share the disappointing news that I won’t be able to call the Duke-Wake Forest game next weekend," Vitale said in a statement, via ESPN PR. "Unrelated to any of my cancer scares, I had an accident at my home in Florida, and that has created some new health challenges and near-term physical limitations for me. I’m devastated that I won’t be courtside with my ESPN buddy Dave O’Brien and with all the players and fans, especially because of the overwhelming response I received when news of my planned return was announced. I was anxiously awaiting the chance to feel the excitement and energy of a college basketball environment for the first time in nearly two years."
An update from @DickieV on his broadcast return.
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) January 18, 2025
All of us at ESPN are sending our best wishes to Dick for a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/4szfaDib7j
“Now, I’m just going to have to wait some more. I’m not sure exactly when that will be, yet I’m expected to make a full recovery and will provide updates when I have more information. Despite this latest setback, I feel blessed to have the support of my family, friends, and ESPN teammates. I’m a lucky guy and as I’ve said before, I will continue to do whatever it takes to get back to calling the sport I love. In the meantime, I have to say ‘Go Irish’ on Monday night! Love to all.”
Vitale's much-awaited return will be postponed as he continues to take care of his health.
Before this, Vitale shared his excitement to come back on Friday, writing on X: "A big THANK YOU to ALL of YOU that have taken time from their busy schedules wishing me good luck in my return to ESPN. Appreciate all my colleagues from ESPN that have reached out to me."
Vitale, a former college basketball coach at Rutgers and Detroit, has been calling the sport for ESPN since 1979.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Dick Vitale Postpones Return to ESPN Broadcast Booth After Home Accident.
