ESPN's Dick Vitale to take rest of college basketball season off in preparation for vocal surgery Posted Jan 26, 2022 Longtime college basketball analyst Dick Vitale will not return to ESPN's airwaves this season as he continues to rest his voice and prepare for surgery to treat dysplasia and ulcerated lesions of the vocal cords. In a story posted to ESPN Front Row, Vitale wrote that he had a follow-up visit with Massachusetts General Hospital throat specialist Dr. Steven Zeitels. (ESPN.com)