Matt Cord returning as 76ers PA announcer for 29th season, forging retirement
Mar 15, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers public address announcer Matt Cord during player introductions before game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Matt Cord announced his retirement at the end of the 2025-26 season as the longtime public address announcer for the 76ers. However, after the offseason the Sixers had, it is almost impossible to hang up the microphone with this type of opportunity.
So, Cord is picking it back up.
Cord plans to return for his 29th season as the Sixers’ public address announcer, he announced on his show on 93.3 WMMR Wednesday morning.
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 the great Dave Zinkoff, who changed the game as the Sixers PA guy from 1963-1985.
Cord has been 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.
He returns with one of the best starting fives in NBA history, containing Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and the newcomers — Jaylen Brown and LeBron James.
Cord has heard outrage from fans about returning this season following the trade for Brown on July 1 and landing James 23 days later.
It is currently uncertain what Cord’s plans are following this season, but it is safe to say we should enjoy his voice while we have it.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin Goldstein is a Sports Media major at Temple University and an aspiring sportscaster and journalist. Since 2017, he has covered Philadelphia sports as the founder, editor, writer, and podcast host of Philly Sports Reports. In addition, Benjamin is a freelance sports writer for The Temple News, a radio host on WHIP Radio, and interned with the WBCB Sports Network on 1490 AM for four years. Through his coverage and media work, he has had the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and has been recognized as KYW Newsradio’s Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week.
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