Long-time 76ers PA voice Matt Cord to retire after 28 years at season’s end
Philadelphia 76ers correspondent Matt Cord (L) poses with Allen Iverson at the Wells Fargo Center on May 23, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Fusco/Getty Images for Reebok)
When attending a 76ers game for the last 28 years, there has been one defining constant. The building name, the uniforms and colors, the players, and the people have changed. The one staple has been the man courtside behind the microphone. That era comes to a close at the end of this season.
Long-time 76ers public address announcer Matt Cord announced Wednesday morning that the 2025-26 season will be his last. He will retire at the culmination of the season. The Sixers’ last home game of the regular season is Sunday, April 12, against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“After 28 years as the PA announcer for the Sixers I’m officially retiring at the end of the season,” Cord said on X. “I’ve had the best seat in the house announcing for the best fans in the world. Thank you to the players and the 76ers organization. What a privilege it’s been.”
Following legendary Dave Zinkoff’s passing in 1985, after decades as the voice of the franchise, the Sixers finished out their time at the Spectrum with Jim Wise. They then turned to radio personality Gary Young for the first year of the then CoreStates Center (now the Xfinity Mobile Arena), but he lasted just one season. Cord, who was working for Philadelphia’s National Lacrosse League team, the Wings, auditioned for the job when Wise was out, and came in second to Young, Cord said to Liberty Ballers in 2019. A year later, in 1998, when Young took a radio gig in Detroit, Cord took over and has held the position for 28 years.
Zinkoff, who has a banner in his honor hanging in the rafters atop Xfinity Mobile Arena with other Sixer greats, paved the way for PA announcers in the NBA. From his iconic introductions for Julius Erving to calling Wilt Chamberlain’s dunks “dipper dunks,” Zinkoff helped define the role of an NBA PA announcer. If you listen to the broadcast of Chamberlain’s 100-point game, you can hear Zinkoff’s voice rattling off the historic total after each basket.
“Matt’s iconic voice helped define our game experience for generations of 76ers fans, and his unique style and presence narrated some of the best moments in franchise history,” the Sixers said in a team statement. “We look forward to celebrating Matt’s legendary career in the near future and sincerely appreciate all he has done for our city and organization.”
Cord, who has been a mainstay on Philadelphia radio for the past 40 years, most recently as the midday host on 93.3 WMMR, has carried a distinct style over his 28 years. From a “six-foot guard from Georgetown, No. 3, Alllllleeen IIIIIIIversoooon,” or a “seven-foot center from Cameroon, No. 21, Joel, the Process, Emmm-biiiiid,” to even a guy like “a six-eight forward from UCLA, No. 12, Luc… Mbah a Mouuute,” Cord brought the same energy, whether it was the 2001 NBA Finals or a game in February for the 2014 Sixers. And you could always hear a tie back to Zinkoff.
In 2012, though, Cord was sidelined. The Sixers replaced him with long-time meteorologist Tom Lamaine, and Cord became the voice for the Sixers’ content on their website. Just a season later, following public outcry, Cord returned.
Cord did it with style, class, and excellence for 28 years, while being a part of many legendary moments. He was at center court for Michael Jordan‘s final NBA game in 2003, where the Sixers played Ray Clay’s iconic Jordan introduction pregame, Lower Merion High School’s Kobe Bryant‘s final game in Philadelphia in December of 2015, when Iverson returned in 2009 after five seasons, and, of course, the 2001 NBA Finals, among others.
Philadelphia has been blessed with the in-stadium/arena announcers for the past 50-plus years. From Zinkoff, to Dan Baker of the Phillies and Eagles for a bit, Lou Nolan with the Flyers, and Cord. No city has been more fortunate to have the voices Philadelphia has had.
Many have never been to a sporting event in Philadelphia, other than Eagles games, without hearing the voices of Baker, Nolan, or Cord. That changes in October. Just as Zinkoff did decades ago, Cord now leaves behind a legacy of his own behind the microphone. Two of the best to ever do it in basketball, for the same franchise. How lucky are we?
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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