Pat Croce, a pioneering sports medicine expert, adorned the cover of Success magazine as the first individual to rise from a training room to the boardroom of a professional sports team. His remarkable journey from a physical therapist to a leader responsible for revitalizing the Philadelphia 76ers as a NBA championship contender has been hailed as one of the most astonishing stories in sports history.
Croce's business acumen, dynamic personality, and emphasis on customer service enabled him to establish Sports Physical Therapists, a sports medicine empire comprising 40 centers across 11 states, which was a top-ten finalist for the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Following the sale of his company, Croce leveraged his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering positive attitude to purchase the NBA's last-place team, the Philadelphia 76ers, in 1996.
During his five-year tenure as President, the team underwent a remarkable transformation, rising from last place to first in the NBA standings and setting franchise records in attendance, revenue, merchandise, and consecutive wins. This remarkable turnaround culminated in the NBA Championships against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2001.
Croce's subsequent ventures included television commentary on the NBA on NBC, Tae Kwon Do commentary for the Summer Olympic Games 2004 in Greece, and hosting a nationally syndicated daily TV show, Pat Croce: Moving In, for Sony Pictures Television. He also served as a panel judge on ABC's hit show American Inventor.
As a nationally renowned motivational speaker, Croce has authored several bestselling books, including I Feel Great and You Will Too!, 110%, and Lead or Get Off the Pot!. He has also written two books that delve into his passion for pirates: Pirate Soul: A Swashbuckling Journey through the Golden Age of Pirates, and the children's picture book, My Pop-Pop is a Pirate.
Croce has received numerous accolades, including the "Entrepreneur of the Year" Award and being featured on the cover of Inc magazine as "The Dale Carnegie of the 21st Century." He continues to thrive as a serial entrepreneur, with controlling interests in the Pirate Soul Museum and the Rum Barrel restaurant/bar in Key West. He has a diverse portfolio of angel investments in the fitness, healthcare, spirits, technology, retail, real estate, and entertainment sectors.
Moreover, Croce dedicates a significant portion of his charismatic energy to various community initiatives, making a lasting impact on those around him.
