Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Dianna Russini, a well-known NFL reporter, resigned from The Athletic on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
This decision came less than a week after photos of her with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel were published, which subsequently sparked an internal investigation by The Athletic, a sports publication owned by The New York Times.
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Russini emphasized that her decision was not to accept the prevailing narrative, but rather to avoid giving the issue "further oxygen."
The Athletic stated that it will continue its investigation despite Russini's resignation.
Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel Photo Controversy
The photos that sparked the controversy were first published by Page Six of The New York Post.
The images show Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort, referred to as the Sedona or Ambiente Resort, before the NFL owners' meetings on March 29.
In the photos, Russini and Vrabel are seen holding hands, hugging, and lounging together in a hot tub and pool.
Both men, each married to another person, vehemently denied any inappropriateness in the interactions.
Russini stated that the photos did not represent the entire group of six people who spent the day together.
“Those photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," Mike Vrabel said.
The Athletic's Internal Investigation
Initially, Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, fully supported Russini, calling the photos "misleading and lacking important context."
However, things changed when The New York Times, owner of The Athletic, reported that the digital outlet would launch an investigation into Russini's behavior and the nature of her relationship with Vrabel.
The investigation specifically focused on “the nature of Ms. Russini’s relationship with Mr. Vrabel” and its coverage.
During the investigation, Russini was temporarily removed from her reporting assignment.
Reasons for Dianna Russini’s Resignation
In her resignation letter to Steven Ginsberg, Dianna Russini explained that she decided to step down before her contract expired on June 30th.
She explicitly stated that her resignation was not due to her acceptance of the negative narrative surrounding the incident.
Rather, Russini refused to give it “further oxygen” or allow this controversy to define her or her career.
She also noted that “commentators across various media outlets have engaged in speculation unfounded by the facts” and that “this media frenzy continues without regard for the review process The Athletic is attempting to complete.”
The Athletic's Response and Continuation of the Investigation
Following Russini's resignation, Steven Ginsberg sent a memo to The Athletic staff confirming the decision, which was effective immediately.
In the memo, Ginsberg emphasized that The Athletic's leadership had taken the matter seriously from the beginning.
Although Russini has stepped down, Ginsberg added that the investigation into his conduct will continue under the supervision of Mike Semel, The Athletic's editorial director of editorial standards and quality.
Dianna Russini joined The Athletic in 2023, after spending nearly a decade at ESPN.
During her tenure at ESPN, she held various prominent roles, including SportsCenter host, NFL analyst, and insider.
At The Athletic, Russini was known for hosting podcasts and frequently appearing on their video platforms.