Dick Vitale announces return must be postponed due to accident

Dick Vitale’s planned return to the broadcast booth is being put on hold after an accident that created “near-term physical limitations,” ESPN said Saturday.

The accident, which the 85-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster said he suffered at his home in Florida, is not related to the four cancer battles he’s had for the past three and a half years.

News of the postponement comes just one day after Vitale said he would be back on the airwaves on Jan. 25 — for the first time in nearly two years — when the Duke Blue Devils travel to Winston-Salem to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale speaks during a news conference before a game between the No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs and the No. 2 UCLA Bruins at T-Mobile Arena on Nov. 23, 2021. — ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale speaks during a news conference before a game between No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 2 UCLA, won 69-65 by the Bulldogs, on Nov. 23, 2021. Getty Images

“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,” Vitale said Saturday, according to ESPN. “I was anxiously awaiting the chance to feel the excitement and energy of a college basketball environment.”

Though Vitale is expected to make a full recovery from the injury, no information about a new return date was provided.

“Despite this latest setback, I feel blessed to have the support of my family, friends and ESPN teammates,” the veteran broadcaster said. “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.”

Vitale received a hero’s welcome when he announced earlier in the week the he will be going to be back on the sideline calling games for the network once again.

The Duke-Wake Forest contest would have been his first since the 2023 national championship between San Diego State and UConn; Vitale had missed the entirety of the 2023-24 season while dealing with vocal cord cancer.

Dick Vitale prepares to announce an NCAA college basketball game between Michigan State and Kentucky on Nov. 15, 2022. — Dick Vitale prepares to announce the Michigan State-Kentucky game, won by 86-77 by the Spartans, on Nov. 15, 2022. AP

In a statement released via ESPN, he shared with fans just how challenging it had been to get to that point of being able to return.

“I am absolutely ecstatic and I can’t believe this is happening after going through five major vocal cord surgeries, 65 radiation treatments and chemotherapy for six months.

“It’s been a very tough journey, but all of the prayers and messages from the beautiful fans have inspired me. I can’t thank Jimmy Pitaro and all of my ESPN colleagues who I consider my second family enough for the love they showed me through such a tough time. I just hope that I can offer the people some basketball insights that can bring even more excitement to the game.”