NEED TO KNOW
NFL reporter Dianna Russini is under investigation after photos were published of her holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
The New York Times reported that Russini, 43, is being investigated by her employer, The Athletic, for her conduct with the Patriots coach, 50
The pair were photographed holding hands, hugging and lounging by a pool at an Arizona resort
NFL reporter Dianna Russini is under investigation by her employer after photos were published of her holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at a luxury resort in Arizona.
Advertisement
On Saturday, April 11, The New York Times reported that Russini, 43, is being investigated by The Athletic (which is owned by the Times) for her conduct with Mike, 50, citing a source familiar with the inquiry.
In a series of seven photos, published by Page Six on April 7, Mike and Russini could be seen holding hands, hugging and lounging poolside at the boutique resort Ambiente Sedona.
According to the source, The Athletic is looking into “the nature of Ms. Russini’s relationship with Mr. Vrabel,” as well as her coverage. She will not be reporting while the investigation is underway, the outlet said.
Dianna Russini attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Pier 48 in San Francisco on Feb. 7
Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty
The Times reported that The Athletic’s editorial guidelines require journalists to avoid activities that pose a conflict of interest, or the “appearance of a conflict,” so that their credibility is not questioned.
Advertisement
Adressing the photos, Mike told the New York Post on April 7, “These photos show a completely innocent interaction, and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Russini, who joined The Athletic in 2023 and formerly worked as an NFL analyst at ESPN, also spoke out about the published pictures.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” she told the Post. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, said in a statement. “These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL, and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel before a game against the Buffalo Bills on Oct. 5, 2025
Credit: Timothy T Ludwig/Getty
Mike, who led the Patriots to the 2026 Super Bowl (the team ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks, 29-13), is married to Jen Vrabel, whom he met while they were both students at Ohio State University.
Advertisement
After connecting, the student-athletes dated, and Jen was still in school when the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Mike in the 1997 draft. The next year, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, and in 1999, she and Mike married.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The pair share two children, sons Tyler, 25, and Carter, 24, both of whom have followed in their dad’s footsteps.
Russini is mom to two kids with Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt.
Advertisement
Read the original article on People