The months-long internal investigation into NFL insider Dianna Russini’s relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel found she was in “clear violation” of journalistic standards.
The Athletic released their report on Thursday, September 3, which was launched days after photos of Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 51, together at an Arizona resort were published by Page Six on April 7.
At the time, “Russini acknowledged a close relationship with Vrabel, but stressed that it was strictly professional.”
Russini has been married to her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, since September 2020. Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, since 1999.
“Russini also said there would be no other questionable pictures of her and Vrabel because she had never done anything inappropriate,” the report said. “The Athletic publicly supported Russini as it began an internal investigation of the allegations.”
However, photos and videos later emerged detailing the length and apparent closeness of Russini and Vrabel’s relationship. Most notably, the pair were seen kissing at a New York City bar in 2020, in pictures published by Page Six later on April 23.
The investigation found those photos to “indicate a relationship that puts The Athletic’s credibility in jeopardy and gives the appearance of a conflict of interest.”
“It also is a basic tenet of journalism to preserve detachment from the people we cover,” the report explained. “We neither completed an investigation nor reached any conclusion about the nature of the full relationship between Vrabel and Russini, but the totality of the public photographs are enough to conclude a violation of company policy.”
The investigation stated that Russini waited “two days before telling her editors and managers” when contacted by Page Six about the first batch of Vrabel photos.
“She then told a story to explain the photos that did not align with facts, raising issues of trust,” the report added.
On the professional side of the coin, the report did not find a “a clear link to conclude that Russini used her platform to help promote Vrabel or help his teams during her time at The Athletic” or “inaccuracies from Russini in any story involving Vrabel or his teams.”
Russini resigned as The Athletic’s senior NFL insider on April 14, though her statement failed to acknowledge anything other than a professional relationship with Vrabel.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini said in a written statement shared via social media. “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.”
She continued, “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.”
