Terry Lyons
Widely known in the sports world for his 25+ year career helping build the NBA into a globally-recognized sports, business and philanthropic property, Terry Lyons has successfully transitioned into a second career as an entrepreneur in the world of multimedia, brand-building and communications consulting in the sports and entertainment fields.
During his 27 years at the NBA, he worked closely with Commissioner David Stern and the NBA’s talented staff to lead the league’s international mission to maximize worldwide business, sports and media opportunities. Beginning in 1992, he supervised all international communications, public relations, and media activities for the NBA. His work with USA Basketball from 1992-2008 Olympic Games helped make the phrase “Dream Team” a part of sports lore. Through the process, he gained business and media connections throughout the globe, including an ever-growing list in the United States and Canada.
In the summer of 2008, Terry Lyons Sports Marketing LLC was launched with the goal of where he consulting with a number of companies in the sports, sports marketing, technology and entertainment industries, including his strategic partnership with Pivottv Media where he works in the sports television, production and technology field.
Most recently, he’s delved into the sports technology world through associations with industry-leading Fantasy Sports (and daily fantasy sports) technology start-ups and has continued to consult with a number of select clients, all seeking to save time and money as they attempt to navigate the sports and entertainment industries.
The end result is a dedicated industry veteran is available to help build or re-build sports marketing, communications, social media or corporate social responsibility programs.
Lyons is a graduate of St. John’s University in New York, where he earned his degree in Sports Management. An avid fan of the St. John’s basketball team, he served on St. John’s University’s Sports Management Advisory Council for the College of Professional Studies. He helped develop the NBA’s Basketball without Borders program, which has evolved into the league’s premiere basketball and community outreach initiative on four continents.
While residing in Boston, he co-founded Boston Venture Community Sports with the goal to bring Boston’s extensive technology, research, and higher education world together with the sports industry. He enjoys meeting and speaking to Sports Administration/Management students and MBA candidates and frequently participates as a guest lecturer at colleges and universities, such as Boston University, Columbia University, Fordham University, New England School of Law, New York University, Northeastern University, St. John’s University (NY) and The NYC Academy – The School of The New York Times.
Co-Executive Producer for Slamball, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+
Guest lecturer at Fordham University
Guest speaker Sports Media & Branding Summit
Senior Advisor to Goatnet and Playrs Start-Ups
Founded PGA Tour Brunch via SubStack
Founded TL’s Sunday Sports Notes via SubStack
and Digital Sports Desk
Co-Founded Pivottv Media
Joined Sports Video Group (SVG)
Covered Army/Navy Game for USAA
Guest Lecturer at Columbia U, NYU
Co-Founded Boston Venture Community Sports
Joined Football Writers Assn. of America
Coordinated Boston Marathon PR for Aira
Recruited as mentor for Sports Tech Tokyo
Began Strategic Consulting for Kathrine Switzer
Launched 261 Fearless Brand for KSwitzer
Named to 2017 Diggies – Must-Follow Sports Twitter
Publicized new Runner’s World Store/Boston Marathon
Advised Tapin2 SportsTech Start-up
Consulted “Legend of Sweet Pea Lloyd Daniels Story”
Led Comms/PR – Boston Lobsters World Team Tennis
Led Publicity – Runner’s World Half-Marathon Boston
Led Comms/PR for Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon
Launched Fantasy Sports with Real Madrid and NJ Devils
Consulted on rebranding strategy – AND1 Basketball
Consulted with Hotbox Sports Ventures, Fantasy SportsTech
Consulted with Rodale, Inc. (Boston Marathon crisis comms)
Covered PGA Tour Fed Ex Cup
Covered MLB World Series
Began Consulting with Runner’s World for Boston Marathon
Publicized Alberto Salazar “14 Minutes” book launch
Publicized “The Other Dream Team” motion picture premiere
Publicized Magic/Bird on Broadway
Began Blogging for Huffington Post
Guest columnists on 2012 Olympics for Huff Post Magazine
Launched online sports media site DigitalSportsDesk.com
Co-Founded Media Production & Communications firm MediaForward.tv
Covered NHL Stanley Cup Finals
Inducted into Holy Trinity HS Hall of Fame
Co-Produced West End Johnnie’s TV spots
Began Consulting with STR Marketplace
Named winner of the NBA’s Splaver-McHugh “Tribute to Excellence” award
Directed communications and press operations for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of ’09 Enshrinement
Joined Ace Marketing & Promotions as consultant
Directed communications efforts for TheUltimateFan.com
Stepped down from Elevate Communications to concentrate on Terry Lyons Sports Marketing LLC on full-time basis
Headed strategic planning for Covert, My Years Infiltrating the Mob, true crime book by Bob Delaney
Joined Elevate Communications of Boston as Sr VP, Managing Director
Worked on publicity efforts for Covert, My Years Infiltrating the Mob, the Bob Delaney story
Opened “Johnnie’s on the Side” in Boston
NBA televised in 215 countries and territories worldwide
NBA opens season with 85 international players on rosters
Announced April 18, 2007 – Lyons to leave NBA after 26 years
Worked 26th NBA All-Star Game, Las Vegas
Worked 137th NBA Finals game, Cleveland
Worked 27th NBA Draft, Madison Square Garden
Worked USA State Farm Challenge & FIBA Americas Tournament, Las Vegas
Created Terry Lyons Sports Marketing LLC
Assisted USA Basketball with re-organization of US Senior National team program
Worked FIBA World Championship, Sapporo and Saitama, Japan, men’s bronze medal basketball
Organized NBA Europe Live, simultaneous events in Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Moscow and four-team tournament in Cologne
Organized first NBA Mexico Game, Monterrey, Mexico
Celebrated 25th year at NBA
Organized first NBA Basketball without Borders-Asia (Beijing)
NBA/FIBA Basketball without Borders staged on four continents
Staged USA Challenge, Istanbul
Worked fourth consecutive Olympic Games, Athens
Men’s bronze medal, women’s gold medal basketball
Proud member, USOC Olympic press operation
Organized “Hoops for Troops” – USA Basketball campaign
Staged first NBA China Games, Shanghai and Beijing
Staged NBA Japan Games, Saitama Super Arena, Japan
Staged NBA Puerto Rico Game, San Juan
Worked Basketball Tournament of the Americas, San Juan
Inaugural Basketball without Borders event, Treviso, Italy
Worked USA Basketball Goodwill Games, Brisbane, Australia
Worked Sydney Olympic Games, men’s and women’s gold medal basketball
Organized PR for NBA D-League Ambassadors tour to Asia
Staged USA vs Japan, Saitama Super Arena, Japan
Organized NBA Japan Games, Tokyo Dome
Worked Tournament of the Americas, San Juan
Worked 1998 FIBA World Championship, Greece
Assisted in crisis management and strategic planning, as NBA experienced first-ever work stoppage
Staged McDonald’s Championship, Paris with Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls
Assisted with NBA at 50 celebration
Assisted with launch of WNBA
Worked as member of the USOC press delegation at 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta
USA Basketball wins gold medals for Men’s and Women’s teams
Organized NBA Japan Games, Tokyo Dome
Organized McDonald’s Championship, London
Organized PR department at NBA Latin America office
Assisted with creation and publicized launch of nba.com and “The Global Game” at nba.com/global
Organized and promoted1994 FIBA World Championship of Basketball, Toronto, Canada
Staged NBA Japan Games, Yokohama
Staged four-team NBA Mexico Challenge, Mexico City DF
Promoted to NBA Vice President, International PR
Staged NBA Mexico Game, Mexico City DF
Staged McDonald’s Open in Munich, Germany
Staged NBA London Games, Atlanta vs. Orlando at Wembley Arena
Organized PR departments at NBA offices in Asia, Australia and Europe
Staged sold-out NBA Draft at Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan
Staged “Dream Team’s” debut at Tournament of the Americas, Portland
Worked 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, men’s gold medal basketball
Organized first NBA Draft outside of NYC, Portland
Staged 1992 NBA All-Star Weekend, Orlando with Earvin “Magic” Johnson after HIV+ announcement
Executive Produced NBA Media Relations Instructional video, nominated for “Telly Award”
NBA began season with 21 international players on rosters
Organized NBA All-Star Weekend, Charlotte
Staged McDonald’s Open in Paris, France featuring Magic Johnson and LA Lakers
Staged McDonald’s Open in Barcelona
Organized NBA All-Star Weekend, Miami
Staged NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden
Promoted to NBA Director of Media Relations
Staged McDonald’s Open in Rome
Accompanied Atlanta Hawks on three-city tour of former Soviet Union
Staged McDonald’s Open in Madrid; Boston Celtics play in Europe for first time
Worked NBA vs. USA Basketball Olympic trials
Organized PR for 1988 NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement
Hosted Soviet National team in Atlanta and LA
Worked first McDonald’s Open, Milwaukee
USSR National Team, AC Milan compete in NBA’s first international event
Created and organized NBA Photos
Organized PR for first player suspension under guidelines of NBA’s Anti-Drug Agreement
Staged NBA’s first Draft Lottery, New York
Organized PR for NBA China Friendship Tour
Coordinated NBA’s “Don’t Foul Out” PSA anti-drug campaign
Named Photo Editor, Hoop Magazine
NBA stages its first NBA All-Star Weekend, Denver
Stern Named NBA Commissioner
Worked NBA vs USA Basketball Olympic trials
Began streak of 135 consecutive NBA Finals Games
Named Columnist for NBA Today Magazine
Worked first NBA All-Star Game, NJ
NBA games televised in two countries, Italy and Spain
Graduated St. John’s University
Began NBA career as Public Relations Asst.
Hired by NBA’s David Stern, then league Exec VP
First game, Boston Garden, Celtics vs. Sixers
Worked first NBA Draft, Grand Hyatt NYC
Began internship at NBA