Shaq and Charles Barkley donate $100,000 to the Dick Vitale Gala for pediatric cancer research
Two NBA legends fight back. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal each donating $100,000 Dick VitaleGala for Pediatric Cancer Research, according to ESPN.
The announcement was made on ESPN during Saturday night’s Kentucky-Indiana basketball game. ESPN made the announcement on social media, along with a call for others to donate. The the fund helps find a cure for cancer.
“We’re giving you $200,000, it’s over,” Barkley told Vitale during the game’s broadcast.
Vitale thanked Barkley after he made that promise. The broadcaster has long been involved in cancer research philanthropy. He is involved with the V Foundation, named after the late college basketball coach Jim Valvano. Valvano died in 1993 after a battle with cancer. He and Vitale were good friends.
Vitale also battled cancer in recent years. He is known for being one of the most prominent sports broadcasters in college basketball. His battle with cancer has forced him to scale back his broadcasting duties, but he still helps call games on ESPN.
O’Neal and Barkley are the two biggest stars of the NBA in the last 30 years. Both players are now retired. Barkley played for the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers, while O’Neal won multiple NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers.
O’Neal also played with several other NBA teams. He also won a championship playing with the Miami Heat.
Both O’Neal and Barkley are now involved in sports broadcasting. After retirement, both players also participated in raising money for worthy causes. Their donations announced on Saturday will certainly be appreciated.
Kentucky beat Indiana in Saturday night’s game after a big second half.
2025-12-14 14:34:00
