A Philadelphia 76ers icon will be returning to Xfinity Mobile Arena for the 2026-27 NBA season.
Longtime Sixers announcer Matt Cord has decided to defer his retirement to call one more season.
âÂÂIâÂÂm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to the mic as PA announcer for 76ers for one more season," Cord said in a statement.
"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 canâÂÂt wait to be back at Xfinity Mobile Arena with you all. LetâÂÂs go, 76ers!âÂÂ
Cord has manned the mic for the previous 28 seasons, calling some of the most iconic eras in Sixers basketball including the entire Allen Iverson era and the ongoing 'The Process' era.
His farewell tour happened last season, with Philadelphia giving him a huge send off.
But Cord has done a U-turn, and has received a plethora of support from all around the Sixers organization with players, both past and present, sending him messages for his final season, including Iverson.
"Matt Cord, my guy. Welcome back legend," AI3 said. "I've got so many memories of hearing you call my name in Philly.
"29 years is an unbelievable run. One more season. Thank you my brother. Welcome back."
Cord has since revealed that Iverson had reached out to him via text message and motivated him to come back for one more year.
"The A.I. text had a lot to do with it," Cord said on NBC Sports Philadelphia's Unfiltered on why he decided to come back.
"I woke up and had a [message] that didn't have a name and it's like, 'hey. I really think you should come back for one more year. You've got another chapter in you. If you don't, I understand. Love you brother. A.I.'
"I checked the area code and it was Charlotte and I was like, 'oh, it could be him.' ... And I was like, 'I guess I should.'"
Off-season of dreams in Philly
But nobody could have envisioned before the start of the off-season just how things would transpire in the City of Brotherly Love.
Newly appointed President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey immediately got to work and completely overhauled the roster with the acknowledgement that former NBA MVP Joel Embiid's championship window was narrowing, and fast.
Shockwaves were sent around the league when they swung a blockbuster trade to land Jaylen Brown in his prime, whilst their marquee giveaway was an ageing Paul George and four future draft picks.
But as if Sixers fans weren't treated enough, they also won the sweepstakes to land LeBron James, and they did so on the cheap with the 22-time All-Star signing just a two-year, $8 million deal.
It was as good as off-season as 76ers fans have ever experienced in their entire history.
With the return of Cord for his 'Last Dance', all the puzzle pieces have now formed into place.