The Athletic's Dianna Russini
Getty
The Athletic's Dianna Russini was recently photographed with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
Things have gone from bad to worse for noted NFL insider Dianna Russini.
The Athletic’s senior NFL reporter went viral this week after compromising photos of her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at an adults-only hotel in Arizona weeks ago.
Both Russini and Vrabel are married, which started a social media firestorm of speculation the two were having an affair. However, both released statements claiming the photos misrepresent the situation.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel told the NY Post. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” Russini added. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
The Athletic Investigating; Russini’s Job in Question
The Athletic's Dianna Russini
GettyThe Athletic’s Dianna Russini is being investigated for her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel
Despite Russini and Vrabel’s attempt to downplay the incriminating nature of the photos, The Athletic, which is owned by the New York Times, doesn’t seem to be buying what Russini is saying.
According to Front Office Sports, the news outlet is conducting an investigation into the matter to get to the bottom of things. Russini has reportedly been benched while the investigation is ongoing.
“The Athletic is probing Dianna Russini’s explanation about photos with Mike Vrabel that were published in the New York Post earlier this week, sources told Front Office Sports,” Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported. “… Sources told FOS that The Athletic is pressing for proof about Russini’s claim that they were there with other people.
“In the days since the Post’s story was published, there has been no public evidence to support the claims. Russini posted an Athletic story by another author on Twitter/X on Thursday, but has not published any stories for the outlet since the photos with Vrabel were released on Tuesday.”
Making matters even worse for Russini is her contract with The Athletic expires in August, right before the 2026 NFL season.
The Optics Don’t Look Great for Russini
The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff
GettyThe Athletic’s Dianna Russini has been sidelined by The Athletic amid its investigation
After initially issuing a statement of support for Russini, The Athletic is now backtracking from its initial stance.
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” executive editor Steven Ginsberg said. “These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
It also likely doesn’t help that Russini has been involved in a scandal like this before.
While she was at ESPN back in 2015, Russini was accused by Jessica McCloughan, the wife of then-Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan, of allegedly having an affair with her husband. McCloughan also accused her of trading sexual favors for inside information about the team.
At the time, Russini broke a story about Kirk Cousins replacing Robert Griffin III as the team’s starting QB, which prompted a snark tweet from McCloughan.
“I’m pretty sure this info is coming from my husband to his new side chick (Dianna). It’s confirmed,” she posted.
McCloughan later apologized to Russini, stating her messages were unfounded and inappropriate, though the incident has since followed Russini throughout her career.