ESPN Secures Dick Vitale with Multi-Year Deal and Unveils Mysterious New Annual Event in His Name

On a day when most people his age would be easing back with a cup of coffee and reminiscing about the “good old days,” Dick Vitale decided to turn 86 with a bang. The indomitable voice of college hoops at ESPN just locked in a multi-year deal that’ll keep his unmistakable energy ringing through our TVs through the 2027-28 season. As if that wasn’t enough to put a skip in his step, ESPN also announced a brand-new, annual men’s college basketball event named after him — the Dick Vitale Invitational. Picture this: Duke and Texas tipping off this November in Charlotte’s Spectrum Center, a fitting stage to honor a man who has been synonymous with college basketball since ESPN was wearing its training wheels. It’s not just a game, folks — it’s a celebration of a legend’s lasting imprint on a sport he’s helped shape while fighting tougher battles off the court than most of us can imagine. This ain’t just a contract extension. It’s a resounding statement that Dick’s voice and spirit are here to stay — quite the gift, wouldn’t you say? LEARN MORE

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

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

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