NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic less than a week after photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel prompted an internal investigation at The Athletic. The New York Post published photos of Vrabel and Russini at an Arizona resort last week. The photos published by Page Six show Russini and Vrabel together at a luxury hotel in Sedona, including by a pool, in a hot tub and on a roof.
These images were taken before the NFL owners meetings that began in Phoenix on 29 March. Mike Vrabel didn’t attend New England’s pre-draft news conference on Monday. The Athletic initially defended Russini, saying the images lacked context and depicted public interactions among multiple people.
Steven Ginsberg sent an internal memo to staff at The Athletic about the matter. The Athletic expanded its review after additional reporting raised questions about Russini’s coverage of Vrabel and the nature of their relationship. The Athletic will continue a standards review of Russini’s work.
Key unknowns persist, including the results of the internal investigation before Russini resigned, the content of the 'repeated leaks' she mentioned, and Mike Vrabel’s response to the photos and situation. The incident has raised broader questions about journalistic ethics and the boundaries between reporters and their sources in professional sports coverage.