NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from her role at The Athletic after photos emerged last week of her holding hands and hugging New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a luxury resort in Arizona.
Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50 — who are both married — shared statements denying any wrongdoing hours after the images were published by Page Six. The photos were reportedly taken at the Ambiente hotel in Sedona on March 28.
On Saturday, The New York Times, which acquired The Athletic as its sports outlet in 2022, confirmed that the nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel and her coverage were being reviewed. The Athletic’s editorial guidelines require that their journalists avoid any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict, so as not to call into question their credibility, The Times added.
Now, Russini has formally resigned from her post as NFL reporter. In a statement to The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg, obtained by The Associated Press, Russini maintained that she covered the NFL “with professionalism and dedication.”
“I stand behind every story I have ever published,” she continued.
Russini wrote that when the photos were first published, The Athletic “supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.”
“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” she continued. “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete.
“It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”
Russini concluded that she will now step down from her position at The Athletic — having joined the publication in 2023 as “senior NFL insider” and host of the Scoop City: Inside the NFL podcast — ahead of her contract’s expiration date of June 30.
“I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode,” she wrote, “but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Russini shares two children with her husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt. A source close to the former ESPN anchor told Page Six she was staying at the hotel during a hiking trip with two female friends.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues,” Russini said in a statement to Page Six in response to its report.
In a statement of his own, Vrabel, who celebrated his 26th anniversary with wife Jen Vrabel last year, said: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Vrabel and his wife share two children: Tyler (offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons), 25, and Carter, 24.
