Pat Williams: Greg Warmoth sits down with Magic CEO Alex Martins

ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida, the City of Orlando and the entire sports community are remembering the life and legacy of Pat Williams, co-founder of the Orlando Magic.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Channel 9 Anchor Greg Warmoth sat down with Magic President and CEO Alex Martins to talk about Williams, who died Wednesday evening at 84.

Martins was one of the first people Williams hired when Orlando was granted an NBA franchise.

“Without Pat Williams, the Orlando Magic would not exist today,” Martins said.

Read: ‘An incredible visionary’: Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams dies at 84

Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)

Pat Williams Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams died Wednesday evening. He was 84. (WFTV)

Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)

Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams. Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams.

Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died Wednesday at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)

Pat William - 1940-2024 LOCAL Orlando Magic founder Pat Williams passes away at 84

Obit Pat Williams Basketball FILE - Orlando Magic senior vice president Pat Williams chats with media about the upcoming NBA draft, May 21, 2004 in Orlando, Fla. Williams, a co-founder of the Orlando Magic and someone who spent more than a half-century working within the NBA, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from complications related to viral pneumonia, the team announced. (AP Photo/Peter Cosgrove, File) (PETER COSGROVE/AP)

Obit Pat Williams Basketball FILE - Orlando Magic President and General manager Pat Williams grins while holding up a jersey bearing the name O'Neal and the number 1, at the NBA draft lottery in Secaucus, N.J. May 17, 1992. Williams, a co-founder of the Orlando Magic and someone who spent more than a half-century working within the NBA, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024, from complications related to viral pneumonia, the team announced. (AP photo/Bill Kostroun, File) (BILL KOSTROUN/AP)

Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams died at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)

Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams passed away at 84. (WFTV Staff/WFTV)

Pat Williams Orlando Magic Co-Founder Pat Williams passed away at 84. (WFTV)

Martins reflected on Williams’s commitment to putting the team on the map in Orlando, now a prominent sports entertainment hub.

“He was the ultimate promoter, and he did whatever it took to get his vision and his goal,” he said. “And that was the key to getting the Magic.”

See the full conversation in the video above.

Read: Central Florida reacts: Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams dies at 84

This browser does not support the video element.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.