Richard John “Dick” Vitale, popularly known as Dick Vitale, is an American basketball analyst, author, and broadcaster for ESPN. He is one of the most recognized and beloved figures in the world of college basketball. He has been involved in the sport for over four decades. In this article, we take a look at Dick Vitale’s life, his achievements, and his net worth.
Early Life of Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale was born in Passaic, New Jersey on June 9, 1939, to parents John and Mae Vitale. He grew up in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and attended East Rutherford High School. After high school, he attended Seton Hall University, where he played basketball and graduated with a degree in business administration.
After college, Vitale began his coaching career at Rutgers University in 1970. He coached the school’s basketball team for one season before moving to the University of Detroit. He was the head coach at Detroit for eight years, leading the team to the NCAA tournament in 1977 and 1978.
Achievements of Dick Vitale
Vitale’s success as a head coach led to him being hired as a college basketball analyst by ESPN in 1979. He has been with the network for over 40 years and has become one of the most recognizable faces in the sport. He has also been the recipient of several awards, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Award in 2008 and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Court of Honor Award in 2017.
Vitale has also authored several books, including his autobiography “It’s Awesome, Baby!” and the motivational book “Living a Dream”. He has also been involved with various charitable organizations, including the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Dick Vitale Gala.
Net Worth of Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale has an estimated net worth of $25 million. His net worth is primarily attributed to his long career as an ESPN analyst and his various business endeavors. He reportedly earns an annual salary of $4 million from ESPN. He also earns money from his book sales and speaking engagements.
Dick Vitale is one of the most recognizable figures in the world of college basketball. He has been involved in the sport for over four decades and has achieved numerous successes. His net worth is estimated at $25 million, primarily attributed to his long career as an ESPN analyst and his various business endeavors.