ESPN Replaced Dick Vitale on Duke-UNC Games in 2015, Deeply Hurting Legendary Broadcaster

Dick Vitale, a legendary college basketball broadcaster known for his passionate coverage of the Duke-UNC rivalry, was deeply hurt when ESPN removed him from calling those games in 2015, replacing him with Jay Bilas. This decision, made by then-ESPN president John Skipper, ended Vitale's 35-year connection to one of college basketball's most iconic matchups, a move that affected him privately despite his public grace. Vitale even sought to regain the role during his 2018 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame induction but learned that the ESPN executive he hoped to appeal to, George Bodenheimer, had left the network. Despite this setback, Vitale has remained a core part of ESPN's college basketball coverage, known for his energetic style and famous catchphrases. After battling cancer, Vitale announced he was cancer-free in late 2024 and returned to broadcasting, continuing to contribute to high-profile games and events like the upcoming Dick Vitale Invitational. His contract with ESPN runs through the 2027-28 season, ensuring his ongoing presence in the sport he has long championed.