New York ? Terry Lyons, the NBA’s vice president of international communications, announced Wednesday he will leave after the season, his 26th with the league.

Lyons, responsible for all overseas communications and media activities, began his career in 1981 as an intern and served as the NBA’s director of media relations from 1989-93. Besides working in 135 consecutive NBA finals games, he also worked closely with USA Basketball since professionals were first used in the 1992 Olympics.

“Terry Lyons’ enormous contributions to our media relations efforts for almost three decades have been a key driver to our growth, domestically and internationally,” commissioner David Stern said in a statement. “He has grown up with the NBA and the NBA has grown up with him. We will miss him greatly, and wish him continued professional success and much personal happiness.”