Dick Vitale announced he will undergo surgery on his vocal cords this summer. Plus: Diamond looks to drop Diamondbacks, TMRW Sports, and more.
Dick Vitale to receive surgery
Legendary ESPN college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale announced Thursday that he would undergo two surgeries related to previous complications with his vocal cords. Vitale, 84, has battled precancerous vocal cord dysplasia that has caused him to miss parts of the college basketball season recently.
The surgeries are scheduled for this summer with the first being on July 11th. Vitale noted that he will need between 6 and 8 weeks of recovery following the surgery.
In the announcement, Vitale praised ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro for his ongoing support, along with the rest of his ESPN colleagues.
Vitale has long been a proponent of the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research and hosts an annual gala to fundraise for pediatric cancer research. He concluded his announcement by saying, “My biggest fear is that it will hurt me in raising [money] for kids vs cancer … also I will NEVER GIVE UP!” (Vitale 6.22)
Bally petitions to drop Diamondbacks
Diamond Sports Group has petitioned a bankruptcy judge to drop Arizona Diamondbacks games on it’s Bally Sports Arizona RSN. This comes after a judge ruled earlier this month that the Sinclair-owned subsidiary was required to pay its contracts to four MLB teams, including the Diamondbacks, in full.
Diamond recently failed to pay its rights fee to the San Diego Padres, ceding broadcast rights back to the franchise. The company has made clear their desire to drop agreements that are no longer profitable while keeping the ones that are.
Should the judge rule in Diamond’s favor and allow the termination of the contract, the MLB is prepared to take over production and distribution of games, as they have done with the Padres. (Sportico 6.22)
Plus: TMRW, A’s, IBA
- TMRW Sports, the venture founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has brought on a series of experienced sports media executives. Jarrett Dube, previously of Wieden + Kennedy and CAA will serve as CMO. Jeff Neubarth, executive producer for Callaway Golf was hired as VP Media Production. Ashley Chalk, formerly of Chip Ganassi Racing, will serve as VP Global Partnerships. (SBJ 6.22)
- The Oakland A’s have officially begun their application with MLB to move the franchise to Las Vegas. The application will require approval from 75% of the league’s owners. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says he will not predict a timeline for the application’s approval. (Las Vegas Review-Journal 6.21)
- The International Boxing Association has been stripped of its recognition as the official governing body of the sport by the International Olympic Committee. The long maligned organization has faced challenges to their jurisdiction in recent years, spurring the creation of World Boxing. The IOC executive board voted 69 to one in favor of the decision. Qualification bouts for the Paris 2024 Olympics will now be run by the IOC rather than the IBA. (Reuters 6.22)
