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Matt Cord is Returning as Sixers PA Announcer
By Matt Schultz
Published:
Just 34 days out from what might be the most anticipated Sixers season ever, fans got yet another reason to be amped on Wednesday morning: Matt Cord announced that he’ll be returning as the team’s PA announcer for one more year:
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to the mic as PA announcer for 76ers for one more season. Serving in this role for the past 28 years has been a dream come true, and I have been fortunate to witness so many memorable moments from the best seat in the house. This is going to be a special year, and I can’t wait to be back at Xfinity Mobile Arena with you all. Let’s go, 76ers!”
The longtime Sixers PA announcer retired back in March to the dismay of pretty much everyone who follows the team, which caused an instant wave of fans and players alike politely asking/subtly demanding him to reconsider after the LeBron James signing — including Allen Iverson, who sent Cord an unprompted text telling him he’s gotta come back for one more season:
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
Matty Cord is beloved in Philly, and the Sixers community at large seemed to hate the idea of going into what could be one of the biggest seasons in team history without its iconic voice calling the lineups.
Hearing him sample an introduction of LeBron James on The Fanatic in July only underscored the feeling — we all needed him to come back for one more run so we could hear this intro booming throughout Xfinity Mobile Arena on game days:
I bet you want to hear Matt Cord Introduce LeBron James…
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) July 24, 2026
Well your wish is granted🔥🔥🔥@RayDunne975 @Sean_Brace @933WMMR @MattyCord pic.twitter.com/Bi6i4oRALc
And here we are. We did it. Matt Cord is back. Peer pressure works, and the players seem as hyped about it as anyone:
Thank you, Matt Cord. This is good. This is right. Everything’s coming together here. The team better be very good now. Imagine if they start out like 8-14. Imagine how pissed Matt Cord would be. Please don’t make Matt Cord upset, Sixers. Please play good.
Matt Schultz is a comedy and sports writer from Philadelphia. He’s written extensively for ClickHole, The Onion, and Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco. His work has been featured in Vulture, Deadspin, The A.V. Club, Paste Magazine, and other publications. Much of his sports journalism can be found on college basketball websites that don’t exist anymore (PhilaHoops Heads rise up…) email: M.Schultz@sportradar.com