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 [July 18, 2024]
Pat Williams, Orlando Magic co-founder and basketball Hall of
Famer, died on Wednesday. He was 84.
Williams died of complications from viral pneumonia, the Magic said
in a release.
Along with businessman Jimmy Hewitt, Williams started to work toward
getting Orlando an NBA franchise back in 1986. A year later, the NBA
Board of Governors gave an expansion franchise to the city, and on
Dec. 22, 1988, the Magic sold their 10,000th ticket to officially
bring the team to the league.
That was just a sliver of Williams' NBA career, which lasted 51
years and included over 30 with the Magic.
"Pat Williams simply brought magic to Orlando," Magic chairman Dan
DeVos and CEO Alex Martins said in a joint statement. "His
accomplishments will always be remembered. Armed with his
ever-present optimism and unparalleled 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 ahead of the curve. Pat
forever changed the sports landscape in Orlando. He shined a light
on what those who called Orlando home already knew -- that Central
Florida was a fabulous place to live, work and play."
After serving as the 76ers' business manager in 1968, Williams ended
up being general manager of the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks
before returning to Philadelphia -- where he spent 12 years as the
Sixers' GM.
With Williams' help, the 76ers won a championship in 1983. Williams
moved on from Philadelphia three years later to begin his endeavors
with the Magic.
"He loved a challenge, and when he moved our family to Orlando to
start the Magic, he was full of excitement and energy that he
displayed every day," Williams' 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 the games, saw him at church or spent time with
him in a social setting know that he never met a stranger and was
always quick with an encouraging word. He was a giver, a teacher,
the ultimate cheerleader, and he was a life-long learner."
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Before his success in basketball, Williams put
together a memorable career in baseball, starting with his time at
Wake Forest. Williams got a scholarship to attend the university,
and he was a three-year letterman as a catcher for the Demon
Deacons.
In addition to being a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball
Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., Williams is also in the Wake
Forest Sports Hall of Fame.
The Philadelphia Phillies signed Williams in 1962. The catcher spent
two seasons with the Miami Marlins, who were a Class A club in the
Florida State League. Williams eventually joined their front office
in 1964 as business manager, later taking over as general manager of
the Spartanburg (S.C.) Phillies in 1965.
Outside the sporting world, Williams was an author, writing over 100
books.
Williams also ran 58 marathons from 1996 to 2011, finishing the
Boston Marathon 13 times.
"There is no Orlando Magic without Pat Williams," NBA commissioner
Adam Silver said in a statement. "He was held in such high regard in
the basketball community and was a friend to me and so many
generations of league executives.
"Pat was never at a loss for a kind and supportive word and always
brought great enthusiasm, energy and optimism to everything he did
throughout his more than 50 years in the NBA."
--Field Level Media
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