Dianna Russini out at The Athletic: What to know about reporter's resignation amid Mike Vrabel controversy

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NFL reporter Dianna Russini is resigning from The Athletic following a recent controversy involving her being seen holding hands, hugging and spending time with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Russini and Vrabel previously provided statements to Page Six about photos of the two spending time together at a luxury hotel in Arizona, sparking speculation of whether the coach and reporter, who are both married, were involved in a relationship.

The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, reportedly conducted an internal investigation into Russini's conduct. She also shared a message to social media about her resignation on Tuesday.

Here's what to know about Russini's resignation from The Athletic following the rumors and reports about her spending time with Vrabel.

MORE:Everything to know about the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel photos, speculation

Why did Dianna Russini resign at The Athletic?

The Associated Press reported Tuesday that Russini has resigned from her role as an NFL insider for The Athletic, sending a resignation letter to the executive editor of the outlet, Steven Ginsberg. The New York Times had reportedly been looking into Russini's conduct following a Page Six report that showed her holding hands and hugging Vrabel.

Russini said in her resignation letter that The Athletic originally backed her following the Page Six report. However, in the "days that followed," further speculation led to the internal investigation. 

Russini also said in her letter, per the AP, that she is not stepping down because she accepts "the narrative that has been constructed" about her relationship with Vrabel, but because her contract with The Athletic was already set to expire soon, and she does not want it to let the speculation "define me or my career."

The NFL reporter shared a message to social media that said she came to the decision "with deep sadness but with clarity about what is right for me, my family, and the work I have spent my career building."

Dianna Russini - Mike Vrabel controversy

Last week, a report from Page Six included photos of Vrabel and Russini recently "holding hands and hugging at a luxurious hotel."

The Patriots head coach and longtime NFL reporter, had reportedly been seen "two weekends ago" at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona. Sources told Page Six in the report that Vrabel and Russini "had breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant," then spent "a leisurely hour or so together at the pool and lounging side-by-side in a hot tub." Additionally, later that evening, the two were seen together "on the private rooftop of one of the hotel’s bungalows."

In the photos, Vrabel and Russini could be seen hugging, holding hands and lying together by the hotel pool. Vrabel and Russini both denied having any relationship beyond friendship in their statements to Page Six.

“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," Vrabel told Page Six. "This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

Russini, meanwhile, said the photos weren't representative of the full group who was at the hotel together.

“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day," Russini told Page Six. "Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”

Page Six also reported that friends of both the coach and reporter said Russini was staying at the Arizona hotel during a hiking trip with two friends, while Vrabel and a friend "drove up to Sedona for the day," then went back to their own hotel around two hours away "after hanging out with Russini and her gang."

Three sources, however, also told Page Six that they did not see anybody else with Vrabel and Russini. There were no others seen in the photos released.

Vrabel had reportedly been in the area for a scouting event at Arizona State University on Friday, March 27, then shortly after, both Vrabel and Russini were at the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix for the annual NFL Competition Committee meeting. 

On April 10, The New York Post and Page Six had originally reported that the New York Times was investigating the situation.

"After Page Six reached out to Dianna for comment, The Athletic immediately began an investigation," a source told The New York Post. "While the apparent conduct in the photos raised questions for [the Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg] and leadership at the Athletic, an initial review suggested the images provided lacked context, specifically the presence of a larger group of friends...[but] new details from the Page Six report and information from the investigation raised additional concerns that are now being reviewed further. The investigation is ongoing."

In the aftermath of the Page Six report and New York Times continuing its internal investigation, Russini announced her resignation from The Athletic.

Was Dianna Russini suspended by The Athletic?

Russini was not officially suspended by The Athletic.

Reports indicated that she "would not be reporting" during the publication's internal investigation into the incident. Now, she is reportedly resigning from her role after The New York Times opened a further investigation into her recent conduct with Vrabel.

Dianna Russini statement on resignation 

Below is the full statement Russini provided on her resignation from The Athletic, which she shared on social media.

“Please accept this letter as my resignation from The Athletic, effective immediately. I have come to this decision with deep sadness but with clarity about what is right for me, my family, and the work I have spent my career building.

You and I have already publicly addressed the recent attacks against me, and I have nothing to add publicly to what we have said. 

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.

“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.

Over a career spanning more than fifteen years in sports journalism — at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic — I have built a body of work I am proud of. I have broken stories, earned the trust of sources across the league, and been guided by the highest of standards of professional conduct. That record speaks for itself.

I remain grateful to The Athletic and for the extraordinary colleagues with whom I have worked there, for the platform it provided, and for the support you showed me during this difficult time. I wish you nothing but continued success."

The Athletic statement on Dianna Russini resignation 

The Athletic has not released a public statement on Russini's resignation. However, Puck's Dylan Byers reported the message that Steven Ginsberg, The Athletic's executive editor, sent to the outlet's staff following Russini's decision.

In the memo, Ginsberg said he could not provide further details into the internal investigation around Russini's conduct, but as "additional information emerged," further questions led to the investigation. At the time of Russini's resignation, the investigation was considered ongoing, and the outlet will "continue a standards review of Dianna's work" moving forward, Ginsberg reportedly told the outlet's staff.

Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel photos

Below are the photos of Vrabel and Russini released by Page Six.

Dianna Russini career timeline

Russini joined WNBC in New York City as a reporter to begin her career after graduating from George Mason University.

She switched to covering sports soon after in Seattle, becoming a reporter and anchor for CSN Northwest and working with various NBC stations, including WRC-TV in Washington D.C.. In 2015, she joined ESPN, becoming a SportsCenter anchor and doing sideline reporting for XFL games. She would also make appearances on "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "NFL Live."

In 2023, Russini left ESPN for The Athletic, where she became the outlet's lead NFL insider, also making appearances on video platforms and podcasts.

Will Mike Vrabel face punishment for Dianna Russini  controversy?

It is not known whether Vrabel will face any kind of discipline from the NFL for his controversy with Russini.

Vrabel denied having anything more than an "innocent" relationship with Russini in his statement to Page Six. Earlier this week, Vrabel did not attend the Patriots' pre-draft news conference.

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