Since 1979 we have heard the voice of Dick Vitale calling the UNC/Duke, but tonight is different.
According to Tampa Bay Times, ESPN has not assigned Vitale the biggest rivalry in college basketball on Wednesday night. This will be the first time Vitale has not called the game since he joined ESPN in 1979.
Vitale has not been assigned Wednesday’s Duke-North Carolina game. He used to be the lone analyst on the game, but over the past few years, Vitale has called the game with play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman and analyst Jay Bilas. Wednesday the game will be handled by just Shulman and Bilas.
Vitale wouldn’t comment on it, but he surely must be devastated by not being able to call the game for which he is best known.
ESPN isn’t forcing Vitale out of the network. His contract is expected to be extended, and ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitzsaid Sunday that Vitale remains an integral part of the network’s basketball coverage.
You have to wonder if ESPN is slowly pushing Vitale out of the forefront and making way for a newer and refreshed star. This somewhat reminds me of what Fox Sports did to Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews. If ESPN is doing this, you have to wonder who they are transitioning into his position, as Tampa Bay Times suggested, Jay Bilas seems the obvious choice.