Orlando Magic co-founder and sports legend Pat Williams has died at the age of 84, the team announced.
Williams, who spent more than 30 years with the Magic after helping get the Orlando expansion franchise off the ground in 1989, died Wednesday after a battle with viral pneumonia. He was said to have died “peacefully, surrounded by his family.”
In his career as a sports executive, he also helped the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1982-83 NBA championship as the team’s general manager, while also spending time in baseball as president of Philadelphia’s minor league affiliate.
It is in Orlando, however, where Williams is most fondly remembered after he and local businessman Jim Hewitt helped convince then-NBA Commissioner David Stern to grant their expansion franchise a spot in the league nearly 40 years ago.
“Pat Williams simply brought magic to Orlando,” Magic president Dan DeVos and CEO Alex Martins said in a joint statement. “His accomplishments will always be remembered.”
Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams has died at 84, the team announced.
‘Armed with his ever-present optimism and unmatched energy, he was an incredible visionary who helped transform the world of sports in multiple ways. From bringing the Magic to Orlando to transforming sports marketing and promotions, he was always at the forefront.
‘Pat forever changed the sports landscape in Orlando. He highlighted what those who called Orlando home already knew: that Central Florida was a great place to live, work and play.
“We all owe him gratitude and we will certainly miss him, but we will never forget him.”
Williams is survived by his wife Ruth and their 19 children, 14 of whom were adopted by the couple from four different foreign countries.
“He loved a challenge, and when he moved our family to Orlando to start the Magic, he was filled with enthusiasm and energy that he demonstrated every day,” his family said in a statement.
‘We all grew up believing that anything is possible because of his unwavering enthusiasm for what he was passionate about. Those who attended games, saw him at church or spent time with him in a social setting know that he never crossed paths with a stranger and was always ready to offer a word of encouragement. He was generous, a teacher, the ultimate cheerleader and a lifelong learner.’
Williams spent more than 30 years with the Magic after helping get the Orlando expansion franchise off the ground in 1989.
The American sports executive helped convince then-NBA commissioner David Stern to grant his expansion franchise a spot in the league nearly 40 years ago.
Williams spent 51 years in the NBA, beginning his basketball career as a business manager for the 76ers before becoming general manager of the Chicago Bulls at the age of just 29.
He spent the next 27 years as general manager of the Bulls, the Hawks and, of course, the Sixers, helping the latter become NBA champions in 1983.
Just three years later, Williams set the Orlando franchise’s expansion in motion when he joined forces with Hewitt, who urged him to join his investment group and bring an NBA team to the city.
In 1987, the NBA Board of Governors awarded the expansion franchise to Orlando, and in December of the following year, the Magic were officially born after selling their 10,000th season ticket and fulfilling their commitment to the league.
Williams, whose first love was baseball despite his iconic status in basketball, was the Magic’s general manager until 1996, when he was promoted to senior vice president.
Outside of his career, he also ran 58 marathons and authored more than 100 books.