Dick Vitale Gets ESPN Extension and National Event Named in His Honor on His 86th Birthday

“𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗕𝗮𝗯𝘆!” — Dick Vitale Gets ESPN Extension and National Event Named in His Honor on His 86th Birthday 🎉🏀

On his 86th birthday, Dickie V didn’t just blow out candles  he lit up the college basketball world with a double dose of incredible news. ESPN announced today that legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale has signed a multi-year contract extension that will keep him calling games through the 2027-28 season. And in perhaps an even more emotional twist, ESPN is launching the Dick Vitale Invitational, an annual men’s college basketball event that will honor his unmatched legacy in the sport.

This celebration of Vitale’s life, voice, and relentless spirit comes just weeks after he announced he is cancer-free, a monumental victory after a grueling two-year battle with multiple forms of cancer. Vitale, who has been a beacon of passion for the game for nearly half a century, said the surprise announcement at his annual Gala on May 2 left him speechless  a rare feat for the sport’s most enthusiastic voice.

“Jimmy [Pitaro] surprised me at my Gala with the news,” Vitale shared. “He gets up and says, ‘Hey Dick, I looked up your contract and you’ve got one year left… well, you don’t anymore. We’re adding two years.’ That will take me to 49 years at ESPN. I want 50, baby! Then I want to call a game at 100 years old. Don’t laugh — that’s only 14 years away!”

For a man who has made a career out of celebrating others, today was a well-earned moment to celebrate him. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro described Vitale as “the heart of college basketball,” calling him an “inspiration” whose kindness and courage have uplifted the entire sports world.

The first-ever Dick Vitale Invitational will tip off on November 4 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC, with a high-profile showdown between Duke and Texas. The hope is that this becomes a yearly celebration of basketball’s best  and a living tribute to the man who gave the sport its emotional soul.

“They told me they wanted to name a game after me,” Vitale said. “I said, ‘Are you serious?!’ For that to live on long after I’m gone… that’s just truly unbelievable.”

Vitale’s impact isn’t just measured by his signature catchphrases, the countless games he’s called, or even the 40+ years of broadcasting excellence. His relentless work raising millions for pediatric cancer research, his genuine love for student-athletes, and his unwavering optimism  even during his most personal challenges  have cemented his legacy in ways stats never could.

And if you’re a Kentucky fan hoping to see Big Blue Nation take part in the Dickie V Invitational, don’t count it out. While the Wildcats aren’t in the inaugural game this season, there’s hope the Cats could one day headline the event  maybe even at Madison Square Garden or back home at Rupp Arena. After all, Vitale has always had a soft spot for the Bluegrass and its electric basketball culture.

For now, let’s just appreciate the moment. Dick Vitale, cancer-free, still on the call, still changing lives, and now forever enshrined with an event that bears his name.

Here’s to you, Dickie V. Happy Birthday and thank you for being the voice, the heart, and the soul of college basketball. 💙🏀