Veteran ESPN basketball broadcaster facing fifth battle against cancer

Veteran ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale is confronting his fifth battle with cancer , having revealed on Monday that biopsy results confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in his lung and liver cavity. The 86-year-old is set to begin immunotherapy as he faces this latest health challenge. Mr Vitale, known affectionately as "Dickie V", expressed his unwavering confidence in a statement released by ESPN .

"I've beaten melanoma," he declared. "I've beaten lymphoma. I've beaten vocal-cord cancer.

I've beaten lymph-node cancer. I'm four for four and I'm fully confident I'm going to make it five for five. " Separately, Mr Vitale shared on social media that he had undergone ten days of extensive testing, including scans, MRIs, bloodwork, and a biopsy.

He admitted, "I obviously did not get the report today that I was hoping for when my oncologist called," but affirmed his intention to "win the battle," adding: "Now at least I know what I face. " His previous health battles had led to a two-year absence from the airwaves, though he made a return shortly before March Madness in 2025. Dick Vitale (R) talks with college basketball analyst Jay Bilas before the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Texas Longhorns at Spectrum Center on November 04, 2025 (Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) A fixture in college basketball, Mr Vitale's exuberant commentary has provided the soundtrack to some of the sport's most memorable moments.