American businessman Dave Portnoy, the owner of Barstool Sports, is a lifelong vocal supporter of the New England Patriots. Due to his strong dedication to the team, he is known as the “unofficial defender” of the Patriots on social media.
Following the NFL’s decision to not review the teams’ schedule release video, NFL teams poking fun at the Russini-Vrabel controversy is a high possibility, but Portnoy wants to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Dave Portnoy Threatens Potential Legal Action for Mocking Russini-Vrabel Controversy
In early April 2026, Page Six releasedpictures of Patriots HC Mike Vrabel and former NHL reporter Dianni Russini at the Ambiente Sedona luxury resort in Arizona. They were seen holding hands and relaxing by the pool. As both of them are already married to different persons, this created a huge controversy.
Stugotz Offers Dianna Russini a Role After Kissing Photos With Patriots' Mike Vrabel Surface
Patriots HC Mike Vrabel (Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
The NFL had recently granted full control on the teams’ creative media management. The teams can release their schedule release posts with full freedom and the NFL is not going to review the posts beforehand.
This situation has sparked speculations that hints at the NFL teams, specially the Los Angeles Chargers to make fun of the Russini-Vrabel situation in their schedule release video.
However, Dave Portnoy, the Pats superfan, stays on guard to prevent that from happening. On May 14, 2026, he posted a tweet where he made his stance on this matter loud and clear.
“I will be monitoring all scheduled releases and anybody who makes a joke about this disgusting controversy will be put on my list and face potential legal action. You’ve been warned,” Portnoy said in his quote tweet.
Let me say this loud and clear. I will be monitoring all schedule releases and anybody who makes a joke about this disgusting controversy will be put on my list and face potential legal action. You’ve been warned. https://t.co/qHxPgsr9mX
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 14, 2026
Despite Portnoy’s warning it didn’t stop the Chargers from doing what they had to do. As expectedly, they had posted their “halo-themed” video that mocked the Vrabel-Russini situation multiple times.
The Los Angeles Chargers Mock Mike Vrabel thrice
The Chargers have done exactly what everyone speculated and expected. On the very same day Dave Portnoy warned the teams not to mock the Patriots head coach, they posted a “halo-themed’video that mocks the head coach at least three times.
In the week 12 segment announcing the matchup against the New England Patriots, it features a road sign that reads, “Next Photo Dump 1 mile.” This is an obvious reference to the photos of the Page Six that have gone viral and created the controversy.
While showing the schedule with the Patriots, the video features a pop notification which reads, “NYPost has sent you a message.”. This is another direct reference to the New York Post (and Page Six). They were the primary sources repeating this controversy.
In the end credit scene, while referencing a spotify playlist, it mentions the date December 18, 2022. Exactly one day after this exact date, Mike Vrabel’s Titans lost to the Chargers (17-14) in the 2022 season.
While Portnoy and the Chargers fans are furious, the NFL takes no stance regarding this issue. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell deems this situation as “private and personal matter”. They have made it clear that they will play no role in the regard asit doesn’t violate their conduct and policies.
Now it will be interesting to see what move Portnoy makes as the Los Angeles Chargers practically mocked his threats and invited him to do what he will.