ESPN signs Dick Vitale to extension, creates annual event in his honor

On his 86th birthday, Dick Vitale got a pair of gifts he won’t soon forget.

The legendary ESPN college basketball analyst has signed a multi-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season, the network announced on June 9.

Additionally, ESPN unveiled the creation of the Dick Vitale Invitational, an annual men’s college basketball event that will honor the color commentator and former coach. The inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational will feature Duke against Texas on Nov. 4 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got the call from ESPN,” Vitale said to ESPN. “They said, ‘we want to have a big game called the Dick Vitale Invitational.’ I said, ‘are you serious?!’ All of the people at ESPN, starting with (ESPN chairman) Jimmy Pitaro, and all of my friends and colleagues have been so great to me especially with my recent battles with cancer. They’ve been by my side from day one and to do this is unbelievable. Long after I’m gone, to still have a game out there with my name attached to it? Wow, that is truly unbelievable!”

Vitale has been with ESPN since 1979, joining as a college basketball analyst shortly after the network went on the air. During that time, he has called over 1,000 games and become synonymous with ESPN’s college basketball coverage with his high energy, colorful personality and famous catchphrases. 

His latest contract will stretch his ESPN tenure to nearly 50 years.

Vitale’s on-air work has earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. In April, he received the Dean Smith Award, which is given out annually by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to “an individual in college basketball who embodies the spirit and values” of the iconic former North Carolina coach.

Vitale has been a more infrequent presence on ESPN over the past several years as he has undergone treatment for various forms of cancer. He called his first game in nearly two years in February, when Clemson upset No. 2 Duke.

“Dick is the heart of college basketball, and his kindness, generosity and courage are a constant inspiration to us all,” Pitaro said in a statement. “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.”