Pat Williams, a pivotal figure in NBA history and co-founder of the Orlando Magic, has died at the age of 84. Williams, known for his innovative marketing strategies and enduring impact on basketball, passed away on Wednesday due to complications from viral pneumonia. His death marks the end of a distinguished career that spanned over five decades in the sport.
Williams was instrumental in the establishment of the Orlando Magic, serving as the team’s first general manager and helping to shape its early success. His legacy extends beyond the Magic, as he was renowned for his unique approach to sports management and his contributions to the NBA’s growth and popularity.
Tributes from across the basketball world have poured in, celebrating Williams’s impact and the memorable moments he helped create throughout his career. His passing is a significant loss to the NBA community, which will remember him as a visionary and a beloved figure in the sport.