ESPN announced Saturday that Dick Vitale's scheduled return to the broadcast booth has been postponed due to an accident that caused “short-term physical limitations.”
The 85-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster said the accident occurred at his home in Florida, but is unrelated to his four battles with cancer over the past three and a half years.
News of the postponement comes a day after Vitale announced he would return to broadcasting 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 on Jan. 25. It was announced on. .
“I'm devastated that I won't be able to be courtside with my ESPN buddy Dave O'Brien and all of the players and fans, especially the overwhelming response I received when news of his planned return was announced,” Vitale said Saturday. “Because of the reaction,” he said. According to ESPN. “I was looking forward to the opportunity to feel the excitement and energy of college basketball.”
Vitale is expected to make a full recovery from his injury, but no information has been provided regarding a new return date.
“Despite this latest setback, I feel blessed to have the support of my family, friends and teammates at ESPN,” the veteran broadcaster said. “I'm a lucky man. Like I said before, I'll continue to do whatever it takes to get back to the name of the sport I love.”
Vitale announced earlier in the week that he would once again return to the sidelines calling games for the network, receiving a hero's welcome.
The Duke-Wake Forest contest was supposed to be the first since the 2023 national championship between San Diego State and UW. Vitale missed the entire 2023-24 season due to treatment for vocal cord cancer.
In a statement released via ESPN, he told fans how difficult it was for him to return.
“I'm absolutely ecstatic and can't believe this is happening after five major vocal cord surgeries, 65 radiation treatments, and six months of chemotherapy.
“It has been a very tough journey, but the prayers and messages from our beautiful fans have inspired me. I would like to express my gratitude to Jimmy Pitaro and all of my colleagues at ESPN, who I consider a second family. I can't thank you enough for the love you've shown me during these difficult times. I hope I can provide people with some basketball insight and get them even more excited for the game.”