Russini speaks out, confirms resignation in wake of Vrabel controversy

Nicely-known NFL insider Dianna Russini had just lately been “sidelined” from reporting on the league by The Athletic after photographs surfaced earlier this month displaying her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holding arms, hugging and lounging close to a pool at a resort in Sedona, Ariz., in late March.

Russini and Vrabel, who’re each married to different folks, previously denied any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, it is now identified that Russini will not return to masking the NFL for The Athletic. 

Dianna Russini makes large profession resolution

Per a letter despatched to Athletic government editor Steven Ginsberg and posted by The Associated Press and ESPN on Tuesday afternoon, Russini has resigned from her position with the outlet owned by the New York Instances.

“I’ve coated the NFL with professionalism and dedication all through my profession, and I stand behind each story I’ve ever printed,” Russini wrote. “When the Page Six merchandise first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and delight in my journalism. For that I’m grateful. Within the days that adopted, sadly, commentators in varied media have engaged in self-feeding hypothesis that’s merely unmoored from the details. Furthermore, this media frenzy is hurtling ahead with out regard for the evaluate course of The Athletic is attempting to finish. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I’ve no real interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already brought on much more harm than I’m prepared to simply accept. Relatively than permitting this to proceed, I’ve determined to step apart now — earlier than my present contract expires on June 30. I achieve this not as a result of I settle for the narrative that has been constructed round this episode, however as a result of I refuse to lend it additional oxygen or to let it outline me or my profession.”

What The Athletic mentioned about Dianna Russini stepping away

One story from this week famous that Ginsberg initially providing robust help for Russini by way of a press release shared by Web page Six upset staffers at The Athletic. In the meantime, Professional Soccer Speak’s Mike Florio speculated that Russini might have sensed the place The Athletic’s investigation into the Vrabel-related matter was heading and “knew whatever the end result her contract wouldn’t be renewed past the upcoming deadline.” 

“I’m writing to let you already know that Dianna Russini has submitted her resignation from The Athletic, efficient instantly,” Ginsberg wrote for a memo despatched to staffers and shared by Meredith Perri of MassLive. “Whereas I can’t share the small print of our investigation into Dianna’s conduct, I need to emphasize that the management of The Athletic has taken this matter significantly from the second that we discovered about it. …When this case was delivered to our consideration final week, there have been clear considerations, however we obtained an in depth clarification, and it was our intuition to help and defend a colleague whereas we continued to evaluate the matter. As extra data emerged, new questions had been raised that turned a part of our investigation. Whereas our investigation into Dianna’s conduct was ongoing, she selected to resign.”

As for Vrabel, it appears unlikely he’ll face any punishment associated to this matter until it’s decided that he somehow violated the NFL’s tampering guidelines whereas having a detailed relationship with a long-time reporter. Earlier than Russini joined The Athletic in 2023, she spent almost a decade at ESPN.

Vrabel is expected to publicly converse with media members subsequent week concerning the beginning of Part 1 of the Patriots’ offseason program and the 2026 NFL Draft, which will get underway on April 23.