View source for Leigh Diffey

{{short description|Australian sports commentator}}
{{good article}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Leigh Diffey
| image              = Leigh Diffey Pocono 2018.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Diffey at the [[2018 ABC Supply 500]]
| birth_name         = 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|03|03}}
| birth_place        = [[Brisbane]], [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| nationality        = [[Australia]]n
| citizenship        = [[United States of America]], [[Australia]]
| occupation         = American sports commentator
| years_active       = 1995–present
| employer           = [[NBC]]
| known_for          = 
}}

'''Leigh Diffey''' (born 3 March 1971) is an Australian-American [[auto racing]] and [[track and field]] commentator. He is best known for being the lead play-by-play announcer for much of [[NBC Sports]]' motorsports coverage, currently calling [[NASCAR Cup Series]], [[IMSA]] sports car races for the network and AMA Supercross. Before this, he was the lead voice of NBC's [[Formula One]] and [[IndyCar Series]] coverage. Diffey has also worked play-by-play for NBC's coverage of the Summer and Winter [[Olympic Games]], most notably becoming the network's lead track and field sportscaster prior to the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo.

Diffey's broadcasting career began by calling motorcycle races in his home country. His career has included stints with [[Network Ten]] in Australia and the [[BBC]] in the United Kingdom covering various forms of motorsport. In the United States, Diffey joined [[Speed (TV network)|Speed Channel]] in 2003 before moving to NBC when Formula One's US television rights were transferred to the network in 2013.

== Early career: Network Ten and BBC ==
Diffey grew up in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], where he briefly raced motorcycles with his friend [[Daryl Beattie]], who eventually became a professional motorcycle racer.<ref name="Unique">{{cite web|url=https://www.motoring.com.au/uniquely-diffey-43279/|title=Uniquely Diffey|work=Motoring|last=Hallenbeck|first=Todd|date=3 May 2014|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> Diffey worked as a physical education teacher<ref name="Rust">{{cite web|url=http://www.motorsportshub.com/rust-content-ahead-of-final-supercars-event/|title=Rust content ahead of final Supercars event|work=Motorsports Hub|date=22 November 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081715/https://www.motorsportshub.com/rust-content-ahead-of-final-supercars-event/|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> at [[Ipswich Grammar School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racer.com/f1/item/57174-leigh-diffey-on-f1-cover-me-up|title=Leigh Diffey on F1: Cover me up...|last=Diffey|first=Leigh|work=[[Racer (magazine)|Racer]]|publisher=Racer Media & Marketing Inc.|date=1 March 2013|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061253/http://www.racer.com/f1/item/57174-leigh-diffey-on-f1-cover-me-up|archive-date=4 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Meanwhile, he began working in motorsports broadcasting; his first job came in 1990 at the age of 19, calling Ipswich Motorcycle Club racing at Tivoli Raceway. In 1995 he left his teacher job to pursue a full-time career in sports television.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.indycar.com/News/2012/11-November/11-16-Diffey-to-call-races-on-NBC-Sports-Network|title=Diffey Readies to Transfer His Energy to Broadcasts|last=Lewandowski|first=Dave|work=IndyCar.com|publisher=Brickyard Trademarks, Inc.|date=16 November 2012|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>

After two years with the [[Australian Super Touring Championship]] broadcasting team for [[Network Ten]], Diffey became the [[Supercars Championship|V8 Supercars]] lead announcer in 1997, partnering with [[Greg Rust]],<ref name="Rust"/> [[Barry Sheene]], [[Bill Woods]] and [[Mark Oastler]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.speedcafe.com/2011/01/07/mark-oastler/|title=Mark Oastler|work=Speedcafe.com|date=7 January 2011|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> He also covered the [[12 Hours of Sebring]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.motorsport.com/alms/news/australian-sebring-telecast/1794611/|title=Australian Sebring Telecast|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=29 March 2000}}</ref> an event for he would call for a total of ten years.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=leighdiffey|author=Leigh Diffey|number=977350633094303747|date=23 March 2018|title=Maybe mate. I did Sebring for 10 years ... haven't been in ages but look forward to the next visit ... awesome event 👍}}</ref>

Diffey moved to the [[United Kingdom]] in 2000, where he worked as the lead commentator of the [[Superbike World Championship]] and presented coverage of the [[World Rally Championship]] for the [[BBC]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://speedcafe.com/leigh-diffey-preparing-for-career-highlight-at-indianapolis-500/ |title=Leigh Diffey preparing for career highlight at Indianapolis 500 |author=Brett Murray |website=Speedcafe |date=24 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="NBC2012Press">{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/press-releases/veteran-motorsports-voices-leigh-diffey-davis-hobbs-and-steve-machett-to-call-formula-one-for-nbc-sports-group/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129033549/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/press-releases/veteran-motorsports-voices-leigh-diffey-davis-hobbs-and-steve-machett-to-call-formula-one-for-nbc-sports-group/|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2017|title=Veteran Motorsports Voices Leigh Diffey, Davis [''sic''] Hobbs and Steve Machett to Call Formula One for NBC Sports Group|work=NBC Sports|publisher=TV by the Numbers|date=15 November 2012|access-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> working alongside [[Steve Parrish]] and [[Suzi Perry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d9a1275cad8d4314899699d8f2216545|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043442/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/d9a1275cad8d4314899699d8f2216545|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2017|title=SundayGrandstand|work=BBC|date=9 September 2001|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref>

== 2003–2012: Speed Channel and return to Network Ten ==
In 2001, Diffey moved to the US to cover the American-based open-wheel racing [[Champ Car|CART]] series,<ref name="Bio"/> while still working for the BBC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/1528436.stm|title=BBC Sets Speed Trap|work=BBC Sport|date=6 September 2001|access-date=29 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030302003329/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/1528436.stm|archive-date=2 March 2003}}</ref> Two years later in 2003, Diffey made a full-time move to the States when he was hired by [[Speed (TV network)|Speed Channel]], which later simply became "Speed".<ref name="SpeedCafe Leigh">{{cite web|url=https://www.speedcafe.com/2011/09/08/diffey-part-of-speed’s-bathurst-and-gold-coast-coverage/|title=SPEED USA at Bathurst and Gold Coast|work=Speedcafe.com|date=8 September 2011|access-date=29 November 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804044730/https://speedcafe.com/2011/09/08/diffey-part-of-speed%E2%80%99s-bathurst-and-gold-coast-coverage/|archive-date=4 August 2018}}</ref> At Speed, Diffey was the play-by-play announcer for the network's coverage of the [[Pirelli World Challenge|Speed World Challenge]], the [[American Le Mans Series]], the [[Rolex Sports Car Series]],<ref name="NBC Bio"/> the [[Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge|Rolex Grand-Am Cup]],<ref name="NBC Bio"/> the SCCA [[Trans-Am Series]], and a regular anchor of ''[[Speed Center|The Speed Report]]'' and ''[[Speed Center]]''.<ref name="NBC Bio"/> Diffey occasionally filled in for Speed commentator [[Bob Varsha]] during the network's [[Formula One]] broadcasts.<ref name="NBC Bio"/> He also commentated selected rounds of the AMA Superbike and [[AMA Motocross Championship]]s.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2009/02/article/ama-pro-racing-show-on-speed-channel/|title=AMA Pro Racing Show on Speed Channel|work=AMA Pro Racing|publisher=MotoUSA.com|date=18 February 2009|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034321/http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2009/02/article/ama-pro-racing-show-on-speed-channel/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Diffey worked with Speed to call several sports car races during his tenure with the network, including the [[24 Hours of Daytona]]<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.motorsport.com/grandam/news/broadcast-schedule-for-daytona-24/|title=Broadcast schedule for Daytona 24|work=Speed Channel|publisher=Motorsport.com|date=25 January 2005|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034207/https://www.motorsport.com/grandam/news/broadcast-schedule-for-daytona-24/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]].<ref name="NBC2012Press"/> During this time, Diffey also worked with Network Ten in Australia as a regular host for the network's nightly sports wrap, ''[[Sports Tonight (Australian TV program)|Sports Tonight]]''.<ref name="SpeedCafe Leigh"/> He also covered other two other sports for the Australian network: sailing, hosting coverage of the [[Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.criticalcomms.com.au/content/industry/news/satellite-phone-company-to-sponsor-yacht-race-766749324#axzz50EKGcyeP|title=Satellite phone company to sponsor yacht race|publisher=Comms Critical|date=22 December 2004|access-date=3 December 2017}}</ref> and golf,<ref>{{cite book|title=Tour Confidential: A Golfer's Life on the Global Stage|last1=Porter|first1=Ewan|author-link=Ewan Porter|date=1 November 2013|publisher=BookBaby|isbn=978-1-4835-1153-5|quote=My services were requested upon the completion of play at the Channel 10 commentary box where host, Leigh Diffey, spent 15 minutes asking me all about my dramatic day.}}</ref> which he covered for five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/sports/pro-sports/nbc-leigh-diffey-calling-the-olympics-nothing-compares-this/B39nZg9zcBk6e2lzgUWOdK/|title=NBC's Leigh Diffey on calling the Olympics: 'Nothing compares to this'|work=[[Austin American-Statesman]]|publisher=Cox Media Group|last=Doolittle|first=Dave|date=20 February 2014|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204114555/http://www.statesman.com/sports/pro-sports/nbc-leigh-diffey-calling-the-olympics-nothing-compares-this/B39nZg9zcBk6e2lzgUWOdK/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011 alone, he covered no fewer than sixteen individual divisions of motorsport on Speed.<ref name="SpeedCafe Leigh"/>

== 2013–present: NBC Sports ==

=== Motorsports ===

==== Formula One and IndyCar ====
In November 2012, [[NBC Sports]] announced that Diffey would join its network to become the play-by-play announcer for its broadcasts of both [[Formula One]] and [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] events starting in 2013.<ref name="NBC Bio">{{cite web|url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/leigh-diffey/|title=Leigh Diffey: Formula One and IndyCar Play-by-Play Announcer|work=NBC Sports|access-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221031724/http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/leigh-diffey/|archive-date=21 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/1126667/aussie-scores-big-break-stateside/|title=Aussie scores big break Stateside|last=McKay|first=Peter|work=[[The Newcastle Herald]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|date=16 November 2012|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> Diffey called the day of the announcement "one of the best days of my life. People have been so complimentary."<ref name="Bio"/> The announcement named [[David Hobbs (racing driver)|David Hobbs]] and [[Steve Matchett]] as the analysts who would work alongside him for the Formula One broadcasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/03/11/Media/NBC-F1.aspx|title=Race is on: NBC makes big F1 push|last=Mickle|first=Tripp|work=[[Sports Business Daily]]|publisher=American City Business Journals|date=11 March 2013|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> In December 2015, Diffey, Hobbs and Matchett were given an Honorable Mention in a list of Best Broadcast Teams of the year published on the ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' website SI.com.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Deitsch|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Deitsch|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/12/21/si-sports-media-awards-2015|title=Media Persons of the Year|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=22 December 2015|access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>

On two occasions, Diffey covered both series on the same day. On 23 August 2015, he called the [[2015 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgian Grand Prix]] from NBC's base in Stamford, Connecticut, before he and Matchett traveled to [[Pocono Raceway]] for the [[2015 ABC Supply 500|ABC Supply 500]].<ref name="DoingTheDouble">{{cite web|url=http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2015/08/20/nbcs-leigh-diffey-prepared-focused-thankful-ahead-of-f1indycar-sunday-double-broadcast/|title=NBC's Leigh Diffey prepared, focused, thankful ahead of F1/IndyCar Sunday double broadcast|work=[[NBC Sports]]|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=20 August 2015|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> Likewise, on 3 September 2017, Diffey called the [[2017 Italian Grand Prix|Italian Grand Prix]] in Connecticut and then traveled to [[Watkins Glen International]] for the [[2017 IndyCar Grand Prix at The Glen|IndyCar Grand Prix at The Glen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2017/09/02/second-diffey-doubleheader-to-kick-off-nbcsn-racing-tripleheader/|title=Second 'Diffey doubleheader' to kick off NBCSN racing tripleheader|work=[[NBC Sports]]|last=DiZinno|first=Tony|date=2 September 2017|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> Diffey's open-wheel focus shifted solely to IndyCar in 2018 when the US Formula One television rights were transferred to [[ESPN]] and they chose to take commentary from [[Sky Sports]] insteading of making their own.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/espn-f1-rights-tv-nbc-961233/|title=ESPN replaces NBC as F1 broadcaster in the US|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|last=Elizalde|first=Pablo|date=4 October 2017|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref>

==== NASCAR ====
Diffey was one of several recurring co-hosts of ''[[NASCAR America]]'', a weekday [[NBCSN]] program dedicated to NASCAR.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2014/2/11/nascar-nbc-sports-new-daily-show-after-daytona-500.html|title= NBCSN to Launch ''NASCAR America'' Feb. 24|work=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Media Group, LLC|author=NBC Sports news release|date=11 February 2014|access-date=21 November 2017}}</ref> While he had covered NASCAR practice and qualifying sessions with Speed,<ref name="SpeedCafe Leigh"/> it was not until his tenure with NBC that he made his NASCAR debut as a play-by-play announcer for a race, covering the [[NASCAR Xfinity Series|Xfinity Series]] (NXS) at [[Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course]] on 15 August 2015.<ref name="DoingTheDouble"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/NBCSN-to-Air-NASCAR-Double-Feature-This-Weekend-20150812|title=NBCSN to Air NASCAR Double-Feature This Weekend|website=Broadway World|date=12 August 2015|access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref> After calling the race, Diffey spoke of the experience as "a thrill...I've been a NASCAR fan and dabbled in it, and for that to be my first race was something else."<ref name="DoingTheDouble"/> He also commentated the Richmond,<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/09/09/nbcsn-presents-the-last-race-to-make-the-chase-this-weekend-in-primetime-from-richmond-international-raceway/|title=NBCSN Presents "The Last Race to Make the Chase" this Weekend in Primetime from Richmond International Raceway|work=NBC Sports|date=9 September 2015|access-date=16 September 2015}}</ref> Dover,<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2015/10/02/nbc-sports-groups-press-pass-what-to-watch-october-2-4-2015/|title=NBC Sports Group's Press Pass – What to Watch October 2-4, 2015|work=NBC Sports|date=2 October 2015|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> and Kansas NXS races.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jayski.com/news/nxs/2015/story/_/page/2015nxs-30kansas|title=Kansas Lottery 300 (Television Coverage)|work=[[Jayski's Silly Season Site]]|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623115854/http://www.jayski.com/news/nxs/2015/story/_/page/2015nxs-30kansas|archive-date=23 June 2016}}</ref>

Diffey made his [[Sprint Cup Series]] broadcasting debut alongside [[Dale Jarrett]] at [[Homestead-Miami Speedway]] in 2015, leading NBCSN's "Hot Pass" coverage of NASCAR's championship race, which focused solely on the four drivers still eligible for the series championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nbc-nbcsn-to-offer-dual-coverage-of-sprint-cup-finale/|title=NBC/NBCSN to offer dual coverage of Sprint Cup finale|agency=NBC Sports Group|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=19 November 2015|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref> Diffey reprised this role with [[Parker Kligerman]] in the 2016 Homestead race,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nascar.nbcsports.com/tag/nascar-hot-pass/|title=NBCSN's 'Hot Pass' to offer additional coverage of Ford EcoBoost 400 Sunday|last=Bonkowski|first=Jerry|work=NBC Sports|date=15 November 2016|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> and again with Jarrett in 2017,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2017/11/15/nbcsn-to-present-hot-pass-coverage-this-sunday-as-complement-to-nbcs-presentation-of-2017-monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-championship/|title=NBCSN to Present Hot Pass Coverage This Sunday, as Complement to NBC's Presentation of 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship|work=NBC Sports|date=15 November 2017|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> 2018,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2018/11/13/nbcsns-nascar-hot-pass-presents-spotlight-simulcast-coverage-of-the-2018-monster-energy-nascar-cup-series-championship-four-contenders/|title=NBCSN's NASCAR Hot Pass Presents Spotlight Simulcast Coverage of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship Four Contenders|work=NBC Sports|date=13 November 2018|access-date=15 November 2018}}</ref> and 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2019/11/11/nbc-to-again-have-multi-network-coverage-of-cup-championship-race/|title=NBC to again have multi-network coverage of Cup championship race|last=Bonkowski|first=Jerry|publisher=NBC Sports|date=11 November 2019|access-date=6 January 2020}}</ref>

In August 2017, Diffey served as the lead announcer for ''[[NASCAR on NBC]]''{{'}}s primary coverage of the renamed [[Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series|Monster Energy Cup Series]] for two races (the [[2017 I Love New York 355 at The Glen|I Love New York 355 at The Glen]] and the [[2017 Pure Michigan 400|Pure Michigan 400]]), filling in for regular announcer [[Rick Allen (sportscaster)|Rick Allen]] who was working in London with NBC's coverage of the [[2017 IAAF World Championships]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.speedcafe.com/2017/08/04/diffey-call-maiden-nascar-cup-race/|title=Diffey to call maiden NASCAR Cup race|work=Speedcafe.com|last=Howard|first=Tom|date=4 August 2017|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>

On 13 March 2024, it was reported that Diffey would replace Allen in NBC's NASCAR Cup Series booth shortly after the [[2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nascar/2024/03/13/leigh-diffey-nascar-nbc-rick-allen-olympics/72960592007/|title=Who is Leigh Diffey? NBC broadcaster to replace Rick Allen on NASCAR races this summer : Report|last=Organ|first=Mike|work=The Tennessean|date=13 March 2024|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> ''[[The Indianapolis Star]]'' reported on 8 August that Diffey's first race would be the [[2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400|Coke Zero Sugar 400]] at [[Daytona International Speedway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/motor/2024/08/08/after-summer-olympics-leigh-diffey-shift-nbcs-nascar-booth-daytona-done-with-indycar/74710197007/|title=Sources: Leigh Diffey has called his last 2024 IndyCar race, shifts to NASCAR booth|last=Brown|first=Nathan|work=The Indianapolis Star|date=8 August 2024|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> Diffey was officially confirmed by NBC on 20 August as the network's new play-by-play voice for the Cup Series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/leigh-diffey-named-nbc-sports-nascar-cup-series-lead-play-by-play-commentator|title=Leigh Diffey named NBC Sports' NASCAR Cup Series lead play-by-play commentator|publisher=NBC Sports|date=20 August 2024|access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref> Consequently, Kevin Lee filled in for him in the IndyCar booth for the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://racer.com/2024/08/20/nbc-sports-makes-nascar-indycar-commentary-reshuffle/|title=NBC Sports makes NASCAR, IndyCar commentary reshuffle|last=Glendenning|first=Mark|work=Racer|date=20 August 2024|access-date=20 March 2025}}</ref>

==== IMSA ====
Diffey returned to sports car racing in 2019 as the lead announcer for NBC Sports' coverage of IMSA's [[WeatherTech SportsCar Championship]], beginning with the [[2019 24 Hours of Daytona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/rolex-24-hours/leigh-diffey-aj-allmendinger-calvin-fish-named-nbcs-imsa-broadcast-team|title=Leigh Diffey, A.J. Allmendinger, Calvin Fish named to NBC's IMSA broadcast team|work=Autoweek|publisher=Crain Communications|date=4 January 2019|access-date=12 January 2019}}</ref>

==== Motorcycles ====
Diffey began calling the [[AMA Supercross Championship]] in 2020, working play-by-play for NBC for the series along with [[Ralph Sheheen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2019/12/26/nbc-sports-announces-2020-supercross-coverage-schedule/|title=NBC Sports announces 2020 Supercross coverage schedule|last=Eubanks|first=Michael|publisher=NBC Sports|date=26 December 2019|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref> 
Diffey took over the lead commentating role replacing Sheheen starting the 2021 season with [[Ricky Carmichael]], Daniel Blair, and Will Christien.
He also served as a studio host for the network's [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|MotoGP]] and Moto2 coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2020/04/12/leigh-diffey-shares-love-of-motorcycles-in-new-video/|title=Leigh Diffey shares love of motorcycles in new video|last=Eubanks|first=Michael|publisher=NBC Sports|date=12 April 2020|access-date=22 November 2020}}</ref>

==== Global Rallycross ====
Diffey served as lead announcer for several events of NBCSN's coverage of [[Red Bull Global Rallycross]] beginning with the opening event from Fort Lauderdale in the [[2015 Global RallyCross Championship|2015 season]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://redbullglobalrallycross.com/news/grc-lites/watch-grc-lites-from-fort-lauderdale-on-nbcsn/|title=Watch GRC Lites from Fort Lauderdale on NBCSN|publisher=Red Bull GRC|date=3 June 2015|access-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040024/http://redbullglobalrallycross.com/news/grc-lites/watch-grc-lites-from-fort-lauderdale-on-nbcsn/|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=usurped}}</ref> He continued to cover the series for the network until the series folded, doing play-by-play for the final round of the [[2017 Global RallyCross Championship|2017 season]] from the Port of Los Angeles on 14 October.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2017/10/12/2017-red-bull-global-rallycross-championship-to-be-decided-on-nbc-this-saturday-at-430-p-m-et/|title=2017 Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship to Be Decided on NBC This Saturday at 4:30 P.M. ET|work=NBC Sports|date=12 October 2017|access-date=29 November 2017}}</ref>

==== Dakar Rally ====
Diffey served as the US announcer for the daily world feed highlight broadcast of the [[Dakar Rally]] on NBCSN.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2017/01/03/nbcsn-to-present-coverage-of-the-2017-dakar-rally-starting-today/|title=NBCSN to Present Coverage of the 2017 Dakar Rally Starting Today|work=NBC Sports|date=3 January 2017|access-date=19 February 2018}}</ref>

=== Other ventures ===
Diffey has worked on NBC's coverage of the [[Olympic Games]], covering [[Luge at the 2014 Winter Olympics|luge]], [[Skeleton at the 2014 Winter Olympics|skeleton]], and [[Bobsleigh at the 2014 Winter Olympics|bobsled]] at the [[2014 Winter Olympics|2014 Winter Games]] in Sochi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/leigh-diffey-takes-break-from-motorsports-to-make-olympic-debut-for-nbc|title=Leigh Diffey takes break from motorsports to make Olympic debut for NBC|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=7 February 2014|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> NBC executive Sam Flood had expressed interest in having him serve as an announcer outside of motorsports while negotiating his contract with the network,<ref name="AP Olympics 2014">{{cite web|url=http://racing.ap.org/dailyherald/article/nbcs-diffey-leaves-race-track-olympic-debut|title=NBC's Diffey Leaves Race Track for Olympic Debut|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=7 February 2014|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref> and he prepared Diffey for the Olympics by having him host the [[Penn Relays]] and the [[Luge World Cup]].<ref name="AP Olympics 2014"/> Diffey remarked of serving in the Olympics: "Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this is where my career would take me. Just working for NBC, that alone made my life. Now going to the Olympics for NBC? I just pinch myself as if to wonder is this really happening?"<ref name="AP Olympics 2014"/> He returned to the Olympics to cover [[Rowing at the 2016 Summer Olympics|rowing]] at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] in Rio de Janeiro,<ref name="NBC Bio"/> and also called the same events he had in Sochi at the [[2018 Winter Olympics|2018 Winter Games]] in Pyongchang.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2018/01/24/nbc-olympics-announces-record-89-commentators-for-coverage-of-the-xxiii-olympic-winter-games-from-pyeongchang-south-korea/|title=NBC Olympics Announces Record 89 Commentators for Coverage of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games from Pyeongchang, South Korea|work=NBC Sports|date=24 January 2018|access-date=10 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/102274/ridgefielders-in-pyeongchang-diffey-to-call-wests-luge-race-saturday/|title=Ridgefielders in Pyeongchang: Diffey to call West's luge race Saturday|work=[[The Ridgefield Press]]|date=5 February 2018|access-date=10 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211190014/https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/102274/ridgefielders-in-pyeongchang-diffey-to-call-wests-luge-race-saturday/|archive-date=11 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beyond the Olympics, Diffey has covered rugby, anchoring studio coverage of [[Premiership Rugby]] and doing play-by-play for the [[Collegiate Rugby Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/nbc-sports-group-airs-college-rugby-championship/166177|title=NBC Sports Group to Air College Rugby Championship |last=Malone|first=Michael|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|publisher=[[NewBay Media]]|date=30 May 2017|access-date=3 December 2017}}</ref> He also covered the [[Prefontaine Classic]] in 2018,<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Olympic-Gold-Medalists-Allyson-Felix-Justin-Gatlin-To-Headline-NBC-Sports-Track-Field-Coverage-From-Eugene-Oregon-20180523|title=Olympic Gold Medalists Allyson Felix & Justin Gatlin To Headline NBC Sports' Track & Field Coverage From Eugene, Oregon|work=NBC Sports|publisher=Broadway World|date=23 May 2018|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> as well as the [[2019 World Athletics Championships]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2019/09/26/simone-biles-christian-coleman-noah-lyles-allyson-felix-headline-17-days-of-track-field-and-gymnastics-world-championship-coverage-across-nbc-sports-beginning-this-friday/|title=Simone Biles, Christian Coleman, Noah Lyles & Allyson Felix Headline 17 Days of Track & Field and Gymnastics World Championship Coverage Across NBC Sports, Beginning This Friday|work=NBC Sports|date=26 September 2019|access-date=3 October 2019}}</ref>

In 2021, Diffey took over as the NBC track and field commentator, covering both the US Olympic trials<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1408145928087769090|user=leighdiffey|title=Hi mate, I’ll be back with the @IndyCar @IndyCaronNBC team for Mid Ohio. We’ve got four more days of US Olympic Tra…<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=24 June 2021}}</ref> and the [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/man-speed-diffey-call-olympic-170813415.html|title = Man of Speed: Diffey to call Olympic track and field for NBC| date=25 May 2021 }}</ref> 

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Diffey botched the call of the [[Athletics at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|men's 100 metre final]], hastily declaring Jamaican [[Kishane Thompson]] the winner in a photo finish which found American sprinter [[Noah Lyles]] officially winning the gold medal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zeglinski |first1=Robert |title=NBC announcers awkwardly botched the call of Noah Lyles' Olympic men's 100 meter win |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2024/08/noah-lyles-gold-100-meters-nbc-announcers-wrong-call-video |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=4 August 2024 |date=4 August 2024}}</ref> Diffey took responsibility for the mistake in a social media post the following day, saying, "My eyes [and] instinct told me Kishane Thompson won. Obviously, that wasn't the case. I shouldn't have been so bold to call it, but I genuinely thought he won. I got it wrong."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/2024-olympics-diffey-call-lyles-nbc-ff475ae01c7554d6b47b2911e63e08d8|title=Leigh Diffey on botched Paris Olympics 100 meters call: "I got it wrong."|work=Associated Press News|last=Fryer|first=Jenna|date=5 August 2024|access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>

Diffey makes a cameo in the movie [[F1 (film)|''F1'' (2025)]], providing commentary for the film's opening scene at the [[24 Hours of Daytona]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Miles |first=Thomas |date=26 June 2025 |title=''F1'' Races to the Movies and It's a Ride |url=https://autoaction.com.au/2025/06/26/f1-races-to-the-movies-and-its-worth-the-ride |access-date=27 June 2025 |website=AutoAction}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Diffey obtained his United States citizenship in 2011,<ref name="Bio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/250336411.html|title=How important is it to have an American on U.S. Formula One broadcasts?|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|publisher=[[USA Today]] Network|last=Kallmann|first=Dave|date=14 March 2014|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> explaining, "This country has given me so much, and I felt I needed to give back. That's why I accepted US citizenship. I'm Australian and I'm also American."<ref name="Unique"/> A former resident of [[Charlotte, North Carolina]],<ref name="NBC2012Press"/> he currently resides in [[Connecticut]] with his wife and two children.<ref name="2024 NBC Bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/bios/leigh-diffey|title=Leigh Diffey: Play-by-Play – NASCAR Cup Series, Motorsports and Track & Field|work=NBC Sports|access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref> 

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Twitter|leighdiffey}}

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{{succession box | before=[[Allen Bestwick]]| title=Television voice of the<br>[[List of Indianapolis 500 broadcasters|Indianapolis 500]]| 
years=[[2019 Indianapolis 500|2019]]–[[2024 Indianapolis 500|2024]]| after=[[Will Buxton]]}}
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{{IndyCar Series on NBC}}
{{NASCAR on NBC}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Diffey, Leigh}}
[[Category:Olympic Games broadcasters]]
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American sports commentators]]
[[Category:American people of Australian descent]]
[[Category:Australian sports commentators]]
[[Category:Motorsport announcers]]
[[Category:Australian television presenters]]
[[Category:Australian sports journalists]]
[[Category:Australian car collectors]]
[[Category:Sport of athletics commentators]]