The Athletic’s response to suggestive photos of NFL reporter Dianna Russini’s run-in with Mike Vrabel at an adults-only resort has been ‘unnecessarily messy,’ ‘reckless,’ ‘premature’ and ‘intentionally sneaky,’ staffers at the website and its parent company, The New York Times, have told Status News.
Last week, the New York Post’s Page Six published exclusive photos showing the 50-year-old coach and 43-year-old NFL insider hugging, lounging poolside and laughing together at the $2,500-per-night getaway in Sedona, Arizona. Vrabel, the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, and Russini, a top reporter for The Athletic, are married to other people with whom they share two sons.
They have each issued statements confirming the March 28 interaction but have denied any improper conduct, with Vrabel specifically calling the story ‘laughable.’ Russini told Page Six she and Vrabel were at the resort with larger groups of people.
The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg issued his own denial after the publication, calling the photos ‘misleading’ and lacking ‘essential context,’ while defending Russini’s professionalism.
‘These were public interactions in front of many people,’ Ginsberg told Page Six. ‘Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL, and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.’
The Daily Mail has since learned Russini was placed on leave while the Athletic investigates her coverage and the circumstances behind the photos. New York Times and Athletic spokespeople declined to speak with the Daily Mail about the controversy.
Mike Vrabel (L) and Dianna Russini (R) are denying suggestions that they’re having an affair
The two visited a hotel, Ambiente, which is an adults-only venue near Sedona, Arizona
But as Status News now reports, staff felt the response to the controversy was a rushed attempt to slap down a story before a full picture had emerged.
What’s more, Ginsberg’s statement made no mention of an investigation into Russini, although, as a source told the Daily Mail, one was launched by the website immediately after it learned of the photos.
The New York Times has since reported on the controversy while mentioning its own policy forbidding its journalists from ‘any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict.’
Meanwhile, Russini’s rival, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, says the story ‘raises questions.’
‘The lines get blurred in these sorts of situations sometimes, and again, it’s hard because I think a lot of times, my female colleagues get questioned in ways when they’re seen, with these guys, out, in ways that I do not get questioned,’ Breer told 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston. ‘And I think a lot of that is totally unfair.
‘And if this is what it looks like,’ Breer added, ‘then this is really bad for all the women who are doing it on the level.
‘Dianna’s done such a good job covering the league, but if that line was crossed, well then she’s screwing over a lot of other women. It’s going to make people make assumptions about a lot of other women that don’t deserve to have those assumptions made about them.’
