Dick Vitale is 86 years old and has battled a slew of health issues in recent years.
But the legendary college basketball broadcaster has no intentions of retiring.
ESPN announced Monday that it has signed Vitale to a new multi-year contract through the 2027–28 season that will extend the Hall of Fame analyst’s tenure with the company to nearly 50 years.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro recently made the surprise announcement at Vitale’s annual Gala in Sarasota, Florida.
“Dick is the heart of college basketball, and his kindness, generosity and courage are a constant inspiration to us all,” Pitaro said.
“Through the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, we will celebrate him and his profound impact on the sport. We are also thrilled that Dick will remain a signature voice on ESPN through the 2027-28 season.”
Vitale is synonymous with college hoops on ESPN having joined the network during the 1979-80 season, just after ESPN’s launch. He called the network’s first-ever major NCAA basketball game on Dec. 5, 1979.
Vitale is known for his passionate, emphatic sayings like “diaper dandy, PTPer, and up, up and away.”
Issues with his vocal cords have kept Vitale off the mic in recent seasons, but he returned in February to call Duke’s game Clemson last season. He continues to work select games on ESPN.
To celebrate his contract extension, ESPN also announced the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, an event aimed to honor Vital annually. Texas and Duke will play in the inaugural event, which will take place on Nov. 4 in Charlotte.
Vitale was also inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
He has called more than 1,000 games on ESPN and has been involved in many of the network’s most iconic college basketball moments.
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