Dick Vitale is returning, Hubie Brown is leaving, and Lee Corso is still going.
For those who appreciate older generations, this weekend will be one to remember. Vitale, 85, is scheduled to make his return for Saturday’s Duke vs. Clemson basketball game after almost two years due to multiple cancer diagnoses. Brown, 91, will call his final NBA game on Sunday when the Philadelphia 76ers face the Milwaukee Bucks on ABC. College football is several months away, but we’re looking forward to seeing Corso, 89, this fall.
Vitale, Brown, and Corso have been a part of our sports-watching experience for so long that it’s hard to imagine a time when they weren’t on our screens. They have brought us wisdom, context, and unbridled enthusiasm.
We’re fortunate, and it’s time to applaud ESPN for treating these elder broadcasters with the respect they’ve earned. The Worldwide Leader in Sports has allowed them to age gracefully in a medium that isn’t always so supportive. We all wish we had employers who are that considerate.
The longer you’re in the workforce, the faster you learn how replaceable we are. Buyouts, firings, and layoffs are an unfortunate part of the world. Chances are you will depart your current job sooner than you expect. Rarely do we leave on our terms.
Saturday, Hall of Fame broadcaster @DickieV will announce an #NCAAMBB game for the first time in nearly 2 years
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 3, 2025
🏀 6p ET | No. 2 @DukeMBB vs @ClemsonMBB | ESPN
🎙️ Dave O’Brien, @CoryAlexanderVA, Dick Vitale pic.twitter.com/URqmyI0kN3
It would be easy to bring in younger, cheaper voices. There is no shortage of candidates who would love to be the televised face of these sports. ESPN, however, has recognized the value of these seniors. Their unique presence carries a weight of credibility that is not replaceable. There will never be another Vitale, Brown, or Corso. When they’re not around, you notice. There’s no better example than Dick Vitale.
Perhaps no broadcaster is more synonymous with college basketball than him. Vitale’s hypeman style has made him one of the most recognizable people at ESPN. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen much of Vitale lately due to cancer. Without him, the college basketball season doesn’t seem the same. His return on Saturday will be welcome news for a sport that still needs his relentless positivity. It’s awesome, baby.
Hubie Brown’s style differs from Vitale’s. The analytical and blunt nonagenarian aims to educate viewers. You always felt like you learned something after every game. The fact that ESPN has allowed him to talk about something he loves on the air for so long is remarkable. The same can be said for Lee Corso. He’s a fixture on College GameDay, and everyone looks forward to seeing him put on the mascot’s head. Corso’s relationship with his GameDay teammate Kirk Herbstreit is wonderfully touching.
Ahead of Hubie Brown’s final #NBA broadcast on Sunday, colleagues shared sentiments on his impact: https://t.co/OyhzfJ6CCe https://t.co/FPEeYkAWXz
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 5, 2025
It’s tough getting old in America. We have a youth-driven culture. Generation Z and Generation Alpha are responsible for what is popular. However, sports can transcend generations since fandom is often handed down like a family surname. Grandparents and parents grew up watching and listening to Vitale, Brown, and Corso. Maybe they passed down their appreciation for these broadcasting giants.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4xvLKKPtyw&ab_channel=ESPNCollegeFootball
ESPN has made it all possible by sticking with these guys, working around their health challenges, and continuing to give them a platform. Not everybody wants or looks forward to retirement. It can be lonely and dull when your entire identity is your job. Brown is saying goodbye, and eventually, so will Vitale and Corso. But let’s keep the camera on them for as long as possible.
