May 5, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view as Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is introduced before game four of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Bill Streicher
When it comes to voices on the Philadelphia sports scene, no city in the world has been as fortunate to host as many legends as us.
From John Facenda at NFL Films, to Gene Hart teaching the city about the sport of hockey, to the wonderful banter between Harry Kalas and Richie Ashburn calling Phillies games. There is Merrill Reese with the Eagles, years of Marc Zumoff taking us in for landings with the Sixers. And many, many more.
Well, another legend has decided to call it a career. After 28 years of being the public address announcer for the Sixers, Matt Cord has decided this will be his last season behind the courtside mic.
"After 28 years as the PA announcer for the Sixers, I'm officially retiring at the end of the season," Cord said in a social media post Wednesday morning. "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."
After 28 years as the PA announcer for the @sixers I’m officially retiring at the end of the season. 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. pic.twitter.com/CF3z2puy2h
— matt cord (@MattyCord) March 11, 2026
Cord isn't just the in-house voice of the Sixers, he has been the radio voice for many throughout their lives in the Delaware Valley. He has been on the radio scene here for the past 40 years in every shift imaginable, most recently as the midday host on 93.3 WMMR, where he took over after the passing of Pierre Robert, the unimaginably popular host at the station who died suddenly back in October of 2025. It was commonly known that no one could replace Robert - except for Matt Cord.
His affable style that includes an upbeat, Philly spirit, a love of family (he ends his shows with tape recorded messages left to him by his late father) and an undeniable knowledge of song and sport has made him a beloved figure to millions.
His center court seat at the Sixers formed many relationships with referees, coaches and opposing players. Most of the relationships were good, Cord will kid. But one of his favorite memories came on December 1, 2015, when a certain player was making his last stop at the then-Wells Fargo Center. Up until then, the player had just been known by "at 6-foot-6 from Lower Merion High School, No. 24 Kobe Bryant," in that classic monotone introduction Cord uses to announce opposing participants. On Bryant's last visit, however, "I went crazy with all his accomplishments." So impactful was it that Snoop Dogg used the intro in a song.
Cord started his gig with the Sixers in 1998 and quickly became a fan favorite. A head-scratching move by a front-office person before the 2012-13 season had Cord replaced from his PA duties, but that lasted for just that one year due to public outcry, and Cord continued what is going to end as 28 glorious years. Many have never seen a Sixers game without Cord calling out "a 6-foot guard from Georgetown, Allen Iverson" or "Joel 'The Process' Embilld."
There is a microphone in the rafters at the now-Xfinity Mobile Arena, honoring the late Dave Zinkoff, who brought public address announcing in sports to a level never heard before. Zinkoff, who announced various sports around the city, was the PA voice of the Warriors, then Sixers, up until 1985 and was known throughout sports for his exaggerated style of pronunciation, particularly 'Julius Errrrrrrrrrving.'
It was a style Cord loves to remember, no doubt aiding him to carve out his own style which has elevated him to the hierarchy of legend.
