The Athletic conducted an investigation into former NFL reporter Dianna Russini. The inquiry found that Russini breached the company’s standards due to her relationship with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, leading to her resignation in April. The exact nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel remains unconfirmed. Vrabel accepted responsibility for his actions but did not discuss photos showing him and Russini together at a resort in Arizona. He temporarily stepped away from his team during the NFL draft to seek counseling and returned shortly after.
“We neither completed an investigation nor reached any conclusion about the nature of the full relationship between Vrabel and Russini, but the totality of the public photographs are enough to conclude a violation of company policy,” the report stated.
Steven Ginsberg, executive editor at The Athletic, commented on the report in a message to employees. “We undertook this review to ensure the integrity of our journalism and to maintain the trust our audience places in us. Nothing is more important than our credibility,” Ginsberg wrote.
Mike Semel, editorial director for standards and quality at The Athletic, reviewed Russini’s work. He examined 903 stories, 204 podcast episodes, and 77 videos. “The review found that the vast majority of Dianna’s stories were unrelated to Vrabel, and most of those that mentioned him did not raise concerns,”
Ginsberg told the staff. However, editor’s notes were added to four pieces—comprising one written article and three videos—that did not meet standards.
Photos of Vrabel and Russini, taken in Sedona, Arizona, ahead of the annual NFL meetings in Phoenix on March 29, surfaced in the New York Post. Both Vrabel and Russini are married. The NFL did not investigate Vrabel’s actions. Semel stated, “Russini’s relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic’s standards.” Regardless of the relationship’s romantic implications, a disclosure was necessary.
Vrabel coached the Patriots to the Super Bowl in February, where they were defeated by Seattle. He was recognized as the AP NFL Coach of the Year during his inaugural season in New England, outperforming Jacksonville’s Liam Coen by 63 points.
In response to the investigation, Dianna Russini remains assertive regarding her resignation. “I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” she told the AP. Russini expressed gratitude towards The Athletic for initial support amidst the situation. She criticized media commentators for engaging in speculation unaligned with the facts. Her decision to resign was driven by a desire to step away from prevailing narratives rather than endorsing them.