ESPN pioneers Vitale, Fitts inducted into 2018 Sports Broadcasting HOF
Two of the most important people in ESPN’s history – one quietly working behind the scenes and the other most definitely not – production guru Bill Fitts and college basketball icon Dick Vitale, were inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame on Tuesday night in New York.
Both joined ESPN in its first year and quickly helped put the fledgling network on the map. College basketball analyst Vitale’s enthusiasm for the game and legendary calls have made him a household name. Fitts’ career in television spanned five decades, including stints at CBS, NBC and ultimately, ESPN.
The 12th annual ceremony benefits the Sports Broadcasting Fund, which helps those in the sports broadcasting industry who find themselves in a difficult financial situation due to illness, injury, or disaster.
Others inducted: Gary Bettman, Mary Carillo, Bob Costas, Bud Greenspan, Peter Larsson, David Mazza, Gene Mikell, Jim Nantz and Neil Pilson.
See Vitale’s acceptance speech; see Fitts’ acceptance speech; all of the 2018 Sports Broadcasting HOF speeches are available here.
