Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams dies at 84 after battle with viral pneumonia

Orlando Magic co-founder and sports legend Pat Williams has died at the age of 84, the team has announced.

Williams, who spent over 30 years with the Magic after helping Orlando's expansion franchise get off the ground in 1989, passed away on Wednesday following a battle with viral pneumonia. He is said to have died 'peacefully surrounded by family'.

In his career as a sports executive, he also helped the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1982-83 NBA championship as the team's general manager, while also spending time in baseball as president of Philly's minor league affiliate.

Yet it is in Orlando where Williams is remembered most fondly after he and local businessman Jim Hewitt helped convince then-NBA commissioner David Stern to award their expansion franchise a spot in the league almost 40 years ago. 

'Pat Williams simply brought magic to Orlando,' said Magic Chairman Dan DeVos and CEO Alex Martins 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. 

'We all owe him a debt of gratitude and he will certainly be missed, but never forgotten.'

Williams is survived by his wife Ruth and their 19 children, 14 of whom were adopted by the couple from four different foreign countries.

'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,' his 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 lifelong learner.'

Williams spent 51 years in the NBA, starting his basketball career as the 76ers' business manager before becoming general manager of the Chicago Bulls at the age of just 29.

He spent the next 27 years as a GM for the Bulls, the Hawks and of course the Sixers, helping the latter become NBA champions in 1983.

Just three years later, Williams put the wheels in motion for Orlando's expansion franchise when he joined forces with Hewitt, who urged him to join his investment group and bring an NBA team to the city.

In 1987 the NBA Board of Governors granted that expansion franchise to Orlando, and in DecEmber of the following year the Magic were officially born after selling their 10,000th season ticket and fulfilling their commitment to the league.

Williams, whose first love was baseball despite his iconic status in basketball, was the Magic's GM until 1996, when he was promoted to senior vice president. 

Away from his career, he also ran 58 marathons and was the author of over 100 books.