A 30-year television veteran who helped launch MTV, Brian Diamond oversees the production of Spike’s MMA and wrestling programming, including “The Ultimate Fighter,” which is in its 13th season.
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SPIKE TV
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PROFESSIONAL
What I Like …
■ AN INSIGHT: You cannot win if you do not play.
■ AN INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN MY CAREER: Joe Davola — executive producer/director/friend. He has always given me sound advice.
■ AN OUT-OF-THE-BOX IDEA: The shootout in the NHL.
■ A TIMELESS IDEA: Think positive. Negativity is wasted energy.
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■ A BUSINESS DEAL: The Yankees and Derek Jeter. They both need each other.
■ A SPORTS FACILITY: Madison Square Garden. Enough said.
■ A SPORTS EVENT: Game 6 of the 1986 World Series or Opening Day, when everyone has the same record.
■ A STRATEGY: Pay it forward.
■ A HIRE: Sandy Alderson. Respected, experienced and can save the Mets.
■ A BRAND: Apple.
■ A TREND: Yoga influencing the workout regimens of competitive sports.
■ AN INNOVATION: ITunes. Shopping for music wherever and whenever.
■ A PRO LEAGUE OR TEAM BUSINESS INITIATIVE: The NFL’s breast cancer awareness campaign.
■ A STORY THAT BEARS WATCHING: Fan fallout should there be a work stoppage in the NFL and/or NBA.
■ AN IDEA OR INVENTION I WISH I HAD THOUGHT OF: It’s a toss-up: the George Foreman grill or Slingbox.
■ A FANTASY JOB: I wanted to be Vin Scully or Marv Albert growing up.
What I Like About …
■ SPORTS: Keeps me sane in an insane world.
■ SPORTS BUSINESS: There’s always room for an emerging sport.
■ SPORTS MEDIA: New takes on traditional motifs. See Bill Simmons.
■ SPORTS TECHNOLOGY: Knowing a score/update seconds after it’s happened.
■ COMPETING: Keeps you from resting on your laurels.
■ SPORTS FANS: Their ingenious and collective commentary, whether it’s at a New York Rangers game at MSG or a Manchester United match at Old Trafford.
What I Would Like To …
■ CHANGE: That teachers in our country get just as much recognition as a guy who gets paid $25 million a year to hit a baseball.
■ CHANGE IN WHAT I DO: Manage my travel.
■ SEE: Parents letting kids be kids when they play sports.
■ SEE LESS OF IN SPORTS: Trash talking. Bob Gibson did it with his pitching, not his mouth.
■ ELIMINATE: Bullying of any kind.
What I Don't Like …
■ PET PEEVE: Driving while texting. Saw a great sign outside a church that said, “Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to meet him.”
■ IN SPORTS: Unnecessary celebration.
■ IN BUSINESS: Producers who don’t watch your network before they pitch you a show.
■ ABOUT SPORTS FANS: Lack of respect for families attending games.
PERSONAL
What I Like …
■ THAT WOULD SURPRISE THOSE WHO KNOW ME: Gone bowling with Bruce Springsteen and had late-night whiskey and cigars with Bono.
■ ABOVE ALL ELSE: The sound of hysterical laughter when I’m hanging with my wife and kids.
■ HEROES: My folks and my cousin Jenna. She packed more into 21 years than most do in a lifetime.
■ PLAYERS: Roberto Clemente, Eddie Giacomin, Dave DeBusschere and Joe Namath.
■ TEAMS: New York Mets, Rangers, Jets and Knicks.
■ POSSESSION: Went to the Bronx to buy a Yankee Stadium chair with my dad in 1973. It cost $20.
■ MEMENTO: A signed picture from music legend Sam Phillips.
■ MOVIES: “Diner,” “The Natural,” “The Godfather” Parts I and II, “Goodfellas.”
■ MUSIC: Everything. There’s two types of music: good and bad. But you’re cheating yourself if you don’t sample everything. Fave new acts: Sargeants of Roc, Bleu, Civil Twilight.
■ BOOKS: “The Last Boy,” “The Ragman’s Son,” “Ball Four,” “Boys of Summer.”
■ AUTHORS: Doris Kearns Goodwin, John Grisham.
■ GADGETS: Digital guitar tuner, iPad 2, Canon 7D.
■ HOBBIES: Photography, playing the bass.
■ TV: “Weeds,” “Hard Knocks,” “Ultimate Fighter,” “Boardwalk Empire.”
■ FOOD: Caprese salad, gnocchi with pesto.
■ DESSERT: Junior’s cheesecake, Applegate Farms ice cream.
■ VACATION SPOTS: Anywhere in Italy.
■ CARS: Mercedes G Wagon, 1957 Porsche Speedster.
■ SINGER: Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Neil Finn, Rickie Lee Jones.
■ QUOTE: If you’re not laughing, you’re not living.
