Could you hear “Unbelievable, baby” the next time you tune into ESPN for a college basketball game?
It could be coming sooner than you think.
To say it’s been a long road for Dick Vitale would be putting it mildly. The 85-year-old college basketball legend has remained optimistic on his road to recovery, recently hinting at a potential return to the broadcasting booth, or courtside — if you will.
Vitale has had cancer of the vocal cords, in addition to 35 radiation treatments, at least three operations and numerous scopes over the past few years. He announced nearly a month ago that he was clean of cancer but still needed to get the all-clear from his doctors.
Over a week ago, Vitale teased the possibility of a return but proceeded with caution. He told Seth Davis then that he’d have a better feel for his announcing future after the scoping of his vocal cords in early January. His doctor had been happy with his voice on video, but that was only part of it.
The aforementioned scope occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and Vitale had some good news to pass along. Taking to X, Vitale revealed he was “very emotional” after receiving a “great report” from his laryngologist, Dr. Steve Zeitels.
Vitale was informed that not only are his vocal cords cancer-free, but Dr. Zeitels feels he can return to being courtside for ESPN.
Just had scope of my vocal cords & I was very emotional with the great report by Dr ZEITELS . He said the vocal cords are cancer free & he feels I can return to my love of being at courtside for @espn . pic.twitter.com/r4tJHcTiMF
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 8, 2025
It’s unclear whether Vitale will need a ramping-up period since he hasn’t been in the booth for a few years. But for a broadcasting legend like himself, it’s probably like riding a bike. That said, ESPN will likely be judicious in how it works Vitale back into the lineup, but here’s to hoping he’s back calling games sooner rather than later.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.