Patrick Livingston Murphy Williams[1] (May 3, 1940 – July 17, 2024) was an American sports executive, who served as senior vice president of the Orlando Magic.
Williams began his career as a minor league baseball player, and later joined the front office of his team.
Williams later earned a master's of science degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1964, and served for seven years in the United States Army, He later got a doctorate in Humane Letters from Flagler College.
[3] Former Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck is credited by Williams as his mentor, with a visit to Veeck in 1962 starting their friendship and giving Williams principles followed in his career, such as "Don’t announce promotions in advance, be out on the speaking circuit, stand at the gates when fans leave, open your own mail and don’t screen your calls".
Williams immediately revamped the team's roster, trading with the Sixers for Chet Walker, and invested on the promotion, including the creation of mascot Benny the Bull.
[4] He spent just one year in Atlanta, where his most notable action was trading star Pete Maravich for two players and five draft picks.
Williams then remained in Philadelphia for 12 years as their general manager, helping to build the team that won the 1982–83 NBA season, by trading for Julius Erving and Moses Malone, and drafting Maurice Cheeks and Andrew Toney.
[7] On November 20, 2019, Williams held a press conference announcing the start of an effort to bring a major-league baseball team to Orlando, Florida.
He cited the a strong built-in fan base and the rapidly growing city population as reasons why Orlando should be considered for an expansion team.
[citation needed] On February 24, 2012, Williams was announced as that year's winner of the John Bunn Award, presented annually by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for significant lifetime contributions to the sport.