Pat Williams, the Orlando Magic’s co-founder and sports star, died at the age of 84, the franchise confirmed.
Williams, who spent over 30 years with the Magic after assisting Orlando’s expansion club get off the ground in 1989, died on Wednesday after a battle with viral pneumonia. He died ‘peacefully surrounded by family’, according to reports.
As general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, he helped the team win the NBA championship in 1982-83, and he also served as president of Philly’s minor league affiliate in baseball.
Williams, however, is best remembered in Orlando, where he and local businessman Jim Hewitt convinced then-NBA commissioner David Stern to award their expansion franchise a berth in the league nearly 40 years ago.
“Pat Williams simply brought magic to Orlando,” said Magic Chairman Dan DeVos and CEO Alex Martins in a joint statement. ‘His achievements will always be remembered.With his unwavering optimism and boundless enthusiasm, he was a remarkable visionary who helped alter the world of sports in a variety of ways. From bringing the Magic to Orlando to revolutionizing sports marketing and promotions, he was always ahead of the game.
‘Pat forever altered the sporting landscape in Orlando. He shed light on people who called Orlando home.
We already knew that Central Florida was a fantastic place to live, work, and play. ‘We all owe him a debt of gratitude, and he will undoubtedly be lost but never forgotten.
Williams is survived by his wife Ruth and 19 children, 14 of whom the couple adopted from four separate foreign nations.
‘He enjoyed a challenge, and when he brought our family to Orlando to launch the Magic, he was full of excitement and energy, which he demonstrated every day,’ his family said in a statement.
“We all grew up believing that everything was possible because of his unrelenting excitement for what he was passionate about. Those who watched the games, saw him at church, or spent time with him in a social context know that he never met a stranger and was always quick to provide encouragement. He was a giver, a teacher, the best cheerleader, and a lifelong learner.’
Williams spent 51 years in the NBA, beginning his career as the 76ers’ business manager before becoming general manager of the Chicago Bulls at the age of 29.
He spent the following 27 years as a general manager with the Bulls, Hawks, and, of course, the Sixers, helping the latter win the NBA championship in 1983.
Just three years later, Williams teamed up with Hewitt, who persuaded him to join his investment group and bring an NBA club to Orlando.
The NBA Board of Governors granted Orlando an expansion team in 1987, and the Magic were formally born in December of that year after selling their 10,000th season ticket and satisfying their league commitment.
Williams, whose first love was baseball despite his iconic stature in basketball, was the Magic’s general manager until 1996, when he was elevated to senior vice president.
Aside from his career, he completed 58 marathons and authored more than 100 books.
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