NFL reporter Dianna Russini has “resigned from The Athletic less than a week” after published photos of her and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort “prompted an internal investigation at the New York Times-owned sports outlet.” Russini, in a letter to Athletic Executive Editor Steven Ginsberg, wrote the publication “supported me unequivocally” in the days after the initial story about the photos came out, but in the days that followed, “commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.” She added the “media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process,” saying that rather than “allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now -- before my current contract expires on June 30″ (AP, 4/14).
According to Guardian reporter Jeremy Barr in a post on X, Ginsberg sent a staff-wide Slack message that said the organization’s review of Russini’s work will continue. He said there were “clear concerns” when the situation was brought to The Athletic’s attention, but “we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.” He said “new questions were raised” as more information emerged (X, 4/14).
I submitted my letter of resignation to The Athletic. Everything I have to say about it is below. pic.twitter.com/401nrtbEsj
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 14, 2026
