Popular journalist resigns after photos leak of her and the teams head coach
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Skyler Walker
Apr 14, 2026 (4:20 PM)
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Photo credit: FaceBook
Dianna Russini is out at The Athletic after Mike Vrabel became part of a story that quickly moved past reporting and into internal fallout.
Her resignation came less than a week after photos of Russini and Vrabel at an Arizona resort were published, setting off an internal review at the New York Times-owned outlet.
That's the real turn here.
This stopped being about one media item and became a newsroom pressure point almost immediately.
Russini said she had covered the league with professionalism throughout her career and stood behind every story she has published.
She also said the public speculation around the photos was detached from the facts.
In her letter, she made it clear she did not want to stay attached to a public inquiry that was already damaging her career. She chose to leave before her contract expired on June 30.
That date matters.
This was not a quiet exit at the end of a deal. It was a decision made in the middle of a fast-moving controversy.
“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
The Athletic had initially backed Russini. Executive editor Steven Ginsberg told the New York Post that the photos lacked essential context and praised her work.
But the situation tightened when the New York Times reported Saturday that the outlet was investigating her conduct.
Once that happened, the story shifted from optics to accountability inside the company.
Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where she worked as an anchor, analyst and insider.
She also hosted a podcast and appeared regularly on the outlet's video platform.
Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, each pushed back on the suggestion created by the published photos.
Russini said the images did not reflect the full group setting, while Vrabel called any other reading laughable.
Vrabel also missed New England's pre-draft news conference on Monday, which only added more attention to the situation around both sides.
One commentator even mentioned she would be headling to the news outlet "Barstool Sports" now.
In the end, the biggest development is simple: one of the most visible reporters in the sport decided the noise was no longer worth carrying.
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