Veteran Sixers play-by-play broadcaster Marc Zumoff is calling it a career. He’s retiring.

Zoo explained why in a letter posted at NBC Sports Philadelphia, and it reads, in part:

…after 39 years of covering 76ers basketball, first as the halftime host and the last 27 years as the television voice, it’s time for me to step away. 

I still love what I do. In fact, I can easily see myself doing this until I simply can’t do it anymore. But there are several issues at play here.

Foremost is my wife of nearly 38 years, Debbie. I can never repay her for all of the nights and weekends she spent alone, raising our sons and holding down her own, high-pressure career. Simply, she is my best friend, and we want to spend more time together.

If life is a basketball game, I’m into the fourth quarter! I’d like to play a musical instrument, learn to speak a foreign language, cook, travel, and by all means give back with my time and strength to the charitable causes that I hope will make for a better world.   

There’s a lot out there for me to still do, and I want to do it all while I’m still able.

Good for Marc, yeah? He’s 65 years old. He’s enjoyed a fantastic broadcasting career that included 39 years with the Sixers in various roles. He could keep going until he’s 80, but I like his attitude here. There are plenty of things to do and see and now’s the time to switch gears.

The thing I always liked about Zoo is that he keeps it steady. He knows when to up the energy and excitement level, and when to slow it down. He’ll show annoyance with the refs, but not to the point where you’d call him a “homer.” He’s always shown a very good chemistry with the various color commentary guys in the seat next to him. Marc has his famous calls, like “turning garbage into gold” and “locking all windows and doors,” so he’s carved out his own niche while remaining centered and consistent at the same time. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay him is that I never heard a complaint about Zoo. Not a single one.

Beyond that, he’s a good dude and quality individual. Started out calling indoor soccer games many years ago, and he shared a story on my podcast about the time he did play-by-play with Harry Kalas filling in on color commentary:

Congrats to Marc on a great career. We’ll have to rank his best calls in another post. And we’ll set the odds on his replacement at some other time.

In the meantime, hang on folks, we’re coming in for a landing!