Pat Williams, co-founder of the Orlando Magic and a veteran of the NBA for more than half a century, died Wednesday from complications related to viral pneumonia, the team announced.
Williams was 84 years old.
He began his NBA career in 1968 as business manager for the Philadelphia 76ers and later served as general manager of the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and 76ers, helping the franchise win the NBA title in 1983.
A few years later, Williams helped start the process of bringing an NBA team to Orlando.
The league’s Board of Governors authorized the expansion franchise in 1987, and teams began play in 1989.
“Pat Williams brought magic to Orlando,” Orlando Magic chairman Dan DeVos and CEO Alex Martins said in a joint statement. “His achievements will be forever remembered. With his constant optimism and unmatched energy, he was a brilliant visionary who transformed the world of sports in so many ways.”
In 2004, he won the NBA draft lottery. Associated Press
“From bringing the Magic to Orlando to transforming sports marketing and promotion, he was always ahead of his time.”
