Pat Williams, a basketball Hall of Famer and co-founder of the Orlando Magic, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 84. According to a statement from the Magic, Williams died due to complications from viral pneumonia.
Along with Jimmy Hewitt, Williams began working towards obtaining an NBA franchise for Orlando in 1986. The following year, the NBA Board of Governors granted the city an expansion franchise and on December 22, 1988, the Magic sold their 10,000th ticket, officially bringing the team into the league. This was just a small part of Williams’ 51-year career in the NBA, with over 30 years spent with the Magic.
Magic chairman Dan DeVos and CEO Alex Martins released a joint statement, saying, “Pat Williams brought true magic to Orlando and his accomplishments will always be remembered. With his unwavering optimism and boundless energy, he was a visionary who revolutionized the world of sports in many ways.” They also credited Williams for bringing the Magic to Orlando and transforming sports marketing and promotions. “He was always ahead of the game,” they said, “and he forever changed the sports landscape in Orlando. He also shed light on what the locals already knew – that Central Florida is an amazing place to live, work, and play.”
After working as the business manager for the 76ers in 1968, Williams went on to become the general manager for the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks before returning to Philadelphia, where he served as the Sixers’ GM for 12 years. With Williams’ help, the 76ers won a championship in 1983. Three years later, he moved on to Orlando to begin his work with the Magic.
In a statement, his family said, “He loved a challenge and when he moved us to Orlando to start the Magic, he was full of excitement and energy that he displayed every day. He instilled in us the belief that anything is possible and was always passionate about what he did. Those who knew him at games, church, or socially, can attest to his friendly nature and his ability to offer words of encouragement. He was a giver, a teacher, the ultimate cheerleader, and a lifelong learner.”
Before his successful career in basketball, Williams also made a name for himself in baseball, starting with his time at Wake Forest University, where he received a scholarship and played as a catcher. He was also inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame, in addition to being a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In 1962, Williams signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and spent two seasons with their Class A affiliate, the Miami Marlins. He then joined their front office as a business manager and later became the general manager for the Spartanburg (S.C.) Phillies in 1965.
Outside of the sports world, Williams was also a prolific author, having written over 100 books. He was also an avid runner, completing 58 marathons from 1996 to 2011, with 13 finishes in the Boston Marathon.
In a statement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said, “There would be no Orlando Magic without Pat Williams. He was highly respected in the basketball community and was a friend to me and many generations of league executives. Pat always had a kind and supportive word and brought incredible enthusiasm, energy, and optimism to everything he did during his more than 50 years in the NBA.”
