{"id":606990,"date":"2026-04-14T20:54:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/606990\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T20:54:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:54:08","slug":"dianna-russini-resigns-from-athletic-following-mike-vrabel-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/606990\/","title":{"rendered":"Dianna Russini resigns from Athletic following Mike Vrabel photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

NFL reporter Dianna Russini has resigned from The Athletic less than a week after published photos of her and New England Patriots<\/a> coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort prompted an internal investigation at the New York Times-owned sports outlet.<\/p>\n

The New York Post last week published<\/a> the photos of Vrabel and Russini at the Sedona hotel and said they were taken before the NFL league meeting that began in Phoenix on March 29.<\/p>\n

“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, 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,” Russini said in a letter sent Tuesday to Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg.<\/p>\n

“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. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”<\/p>\n

I submitted my letter of resignation to The Athletic. Everything I have to say about it is below. pic.twitter.com\/401nrtbEsj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 14, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where she held various roles, including “SportsCenter” anchor, NFL analyst and insider. She hosted a podcast for The Athletic and made appearances on its video platform.<\/p>\n

After publication of the photos, Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, released statements to the Post downplaying what the photos depict.<\/p>\n

Russini said they “don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day.”<\/p>\n

Vrabel told the newspaper: “Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”<\/p>\n

Sources had confirmed to ESPN<\/a> that the Times’ digital outlet was investigating Russini’s conduct following a report from Front Office Sports.<\/p>\n

That decision came after Ginsberg previously told the Post that the photos “lacked essential context” and lauded her work with The Athletic.<\/p>\n

Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player with New England, is preparing for his second season as coach of the Patriots. He was the AP NFL Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 14-3 finish last season, which ended with a Super Bowl loss to Seattle. Vrabel previously won the AP NFL Coach of the Year award with Tennessee in 2021.<\/p>\n

The Associated Press contributed to this report.<\/p>\n