"Pat Williams simply brought Magic to Orlando. 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."



-DeVos Family & Orlando Magic

“Pat Williams was one of a kind, someone who was passionate about everything he did and a friend to every person he met. He was a champion for Orlando whose impact went well beyond sports. We'll miss Pat, but we're forever grateful for his many contributions to our community.”

-Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer

Around The Horn.

• The Greater Orlando Sports Commission would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Pat Williams. He was a true pioneer in the sports and entertainment community who put Orlando on the map as a premier destination for many different aspects, not just sports. Although Pat will be greatly missed, his legacy is forever engrained in Central Florida history.
• Orlando City SC continues its strong play with a 3-0 victory over Nashville FC last night, marking the club's fourth consecutive win. The Lions (9-9-6) got the season off to a slow start, but have quickly turned it around to contend for the MLS playoffs. The Lions will look to continue their win streak as they play host to New York City FC this Saturday at 7:30pm at Inter&Co Stadium.
• Orlando's summer of soccer continues as three-time reigning Premier League champions Manchester City FC will face Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona for an FC Series match at Camping World Stadium on Tuesday, July 30. Don't miss out on this epic match between these two storied clubs, purchase your tickets today!
• The NWSL-leading Orlando Pride return from break this week to play its first group-stage match of the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup. The game is scheduled for this Saturday, July 20 at 7:30pm against the North Carolina Courage, and the club's next group-stage match will occur on July 27.
• The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, welcomes their parent club to the AdventHealth Rink at Kia Center when the Lightning host the Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers in a NHL preseason matchup on September 25 at 7:00pm. This will mark the sixth exhibition for the Lightning at Kia Center, and tickets for this year's game will go on sale to the public at a later date to be announced.
• The StaffDNA Cure Bowl is celebrating its 10th anniversary by returning to its original location, Camping World Stadium. Since its inception nine years ago, the Cure Bowl has been hosted at three different venues including Inter&Co Stadium and FBC Mortgage Stadium. This will be the third time Camping World Stadium has hosted the bowl game, and the first time since 2020.

If you haven't purchased your table for 2024, reach out to Michael or Chase on our team today and join us to celebrate this year's class of award winners (announced at a later date) and hear from our 2024 featured speaker, Hall of Fame broadcaster and lead NBA Analyst for ESPN and ABC, Doris Burke. For more information, visit https://greaterorlandosports.com/celebrating-women-in-sports/

Michael Kalinich - michael@greaterorlandosports.com

Chase DeMayo - cdemayo@greaterorlandosports.com

In The News.

• Full Sail University was named one of the "30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada in 2024" by Moviemaker Magazine. The annual list recognizes schools that prepare students for every aspect of moviemaking. As one of only 30 institutions selected, Full Sail appears alongside notable film schools including University of Southern California, New York University, Vancouver Film School, and Columbia University to name a few.
• Ripken Baseball has announced they will soon bring youth baseball tournaments to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The company, founded by National Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., will host the tournaments over four-week periods in both 2025 and 2026. Participating teams that pay for a package will play six to nine games, participate in skills competitions and have time to explore Disney's local theme parks.
• Stetson University was awarded a $500,000 historic preservation grant from the State of Florida to rebuild Hulley Tower, originally constructed in 1934. The tower was damaged by a hurricane in 2004 and dismantled the following year, leaving only the base of the structure. Stetson has announced they plan to rebuild the tower to its original 116-foot height and will add a 52-bell carillon.
• Are you interested in hosting an event in downtown Orlando? DTO is now accepting applications for the Special Event Grants Program, used to support a wide range of arts and cultural events to bring diverse entertainment to the downtown area! Applications for events taking place November 2024 - April 2025 are open until August 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST.
• A report released by PODS Enterprises, LLC, a moving and storage company, showed that Orlando remains one of the hottest destinations in the country for relocation. In the PODS study, Orlando ranked No. 18 nationally among cities with the highest number of move-ins last year. Florida cities Ocala and Jacksonville were also among the list of Top 20 cities being moved to in the US.
• Orlando is expecting to gain several new flight destinations in the next year. A total of 15 flights are among those that will be added over the next 12 months in the region, starting as soon as October of this year.

Don't wait, register now for the inaugural Lake Nona Triathlon! This sprint triathlon is a thrilling point-to-point race, starting at the scenic Lake Nona Adventure Park and ending at Boxi Park for post-race festivities and awards.

Stay Engaged.

• Universal Orlando is introducing a new ticket offer that allows repeated entry to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios theme parks for $199 through December 18. The ticket offer, exclusively for Florida residents, will allow buyers to move between the two parks freely, and is dubbed the Florida Unlimited Days Ticket. The new ticket is available online now, but is not sold at the entrance to the parks.
• The new version of Walt Disney World's Country Bear Jamboree debuts this weekend and features new songs and costumes while maintaining the spirit of the original attraction, which first opened back in 1971. The show, found in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, boasts the new name "Country Bear Musical Jamboree" and features a new voice talent, singer Emily Ann Roberts from TV's The Voice.
• The International Drive entertainment complex Icon Park has announced that a Blue Man Group show is coming to a new 500-seat theater within the park. The goal is to have the show available to the public by the end of this year, and the theater entrance would be on the Universal Boulevard side of the 20-acre complex. Blue Man Group performed at a prominent location accessed through Universal's CityWalk for 14 years before the show was discontinued in 2021.
• The Orlando Science Center is hosting Astro Fest, a space-themed weekend, this Saturday and Sunday! Among the activities are Marvelous Mars Story Time, space flight simulations, a stage show about space travel, and KABOOM! - a demonstration of the science of combustion. The event will run from 11:00am - 4:00pm on both days, and is included with general admission.
• The I-Drive Throwdown, a showcase of trucks and off-road vehicles, returns to Dezerland Park tomorrow, July 19 through Sunday, July 21. Presented by American Force Wheels, this event promises a showcase of off-road power with hundreds of trucks, side-by-sides, and ATVs. With tickets starting at $20, don’t miss the chance to witness the action-packed display of modified vehicles!
• SeaWorld Orlando's Bands, Brew, and BBQ event began last weekend and will continue on Saturdays and Sundays at the Nautilus Theater at 6:00pm through August 25. There are 17 food and beverage stops throughout the park, the artists are a mix of big names, local bands, and cover bands, and the concerts are included with regular SeaWorld admission.
• Florida residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Copa America Finals in Miami earlier this week, pictured with Go Sports Chair Elect Caesar Lopez (Orlando City/Orlando Pride) and OCSC staff members Jessica West and Jackson Metzger.

GO Sports Associate VP Kyle Sturley attended WISE Greater Orlando's Wise & Grind event at Foxtail Coffee earlier this week, pictured here with chapter members and fellow board members.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Copa America Finals match between Argentina and Colombia earlier this week, pictured with Amanda Ford (Miami CVB), Mat Ratner (Miami CVB), and Matthew Payne (Denver CVB).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel pictured with Chair Elect Caesar Lopez (Orlando City/Orlando Pride) and Amy Hopfinger (FIFA) at the Copa America Finals match in Miami earlier this week.

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen and his wife Jill Cohen (The Lifeboat Project) attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Lifeboat Project's Human Trafficking Safehouse, pictured with Russ Beamer (Home Aid Orlando) and Vishaal Gupta (Park Square Homes).

GO Sports Senior VP Michael Kalinich and Associate VP Chase DeMayo attended the International Drive Chamber of Commerce Luncheon last week at the Rosen Centre Hotel.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson and Director Jordan Lyda attended the World Futsal Championships at the Orange County Convention Center earlier this week, pictured with Rob Andrews (United Futsal).

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson attended the Rugby World Cup 2031/2033 Host Cities Summit in Washington D.C. last week, pictured with Amanda Ford (Miami CVB).

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

GO Sports is proud to welcome our newest corporate partners, Renewal by Andersen and Sunbelt Rentals! For more information, click the logos above.

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• What's Happening: Orange County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Lake County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Osceola County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Seminole County Things To Do