Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

Beloved television sports announcer Dick Vitale faces a new round of treatment in his yearslong battle with cancer, he reported to his fans on social media this week, following a new discovery of the disease. Still, though, he says "I feel fantastic."

“I obviously did not get the report today that I was hoping for when my oncologist called,’’ wrote Vitale, 86.

The longtime Lakewood Ranch resident further wrote Monday on X that immunotherapy will begin next week after examinations revealed the presence of melanoma in the lung and liver cavity. It’s his fifth diagnosis of cancer since 2021. He required surgery in 2024 to remove cancerous lymph nodes, which affected his voice.

I obviously did not get the report today that I was hoping for when my oncologist called . It has been 10 days of many exams Pet Scan - Cat scan - 2 MRI’s- Biopsy - multiple bloodwork - now at least I know what I face. The Melanoma Lung & liver cavity cancer will mean I will…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 13, 2026

Nearly two years passed with him off the air entirely. Vitale broadcast ESPN’s international broadcast of the University of Connecticut vs. San Diego State in the national championship on April 3, 2023, and didn’t return until Duke at Wake Forest on Jan. 25, 2025.

"I’ve beaten melanoma," Vitale said in a statement released by ESPN. "I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal-cord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph-node cancer. I’m 4 for 4 and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it 5 for 5."

At a “March Mayhem’’ fundraising watch party for cancer research via the V Foundation last month at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch, Vitale was open about the nerves he was feeling following rounds of exams and evaluations. “It’s going to be a nerve-wracking time,” Vitale said then.

Vitale has raised over $105 million for pediatric cancer research. His 21st annual gala is scheduled for May 1 at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, where he hopes to raise another $10 million to $12 million, he said.

"I am truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages I've received from so many people" Vitale said in the ESPN statement. "I'm incredibly blessed to have my family beside me, and my ESPN family -- led by Chairman Jimmy Pitaro -- has been absolutely terrific. Their support has inspired me to keep fighting and I will do everything in my power to win another battle.

"The best news I can share today is this: I feel fantastic."