- May 21, 2026
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As the saying goes, no news is no news. In some cases, no news becomes some news.
Via Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, the investigation launched by The Athletic into former NFL reporter Dianna Russini is "still ongoing."
Russini resigned more than two months ago, after The Athletic launched an investigation regarding her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. Photos of them at an Arizona resort published by the New York Post in early April sparked denials by both Russini and Vrabel of a personal relationship. Subsequent photos posted by the Post, coupled with public comments made by Vrabel, contradicted the denials.
Last week, the Post reported that the internal investigation as to Russini's reporting was a "few weeks away" from resolution.
McCarthy adds this "reminder" to his Thursday report: "The investigation is limited to the former Senior NFL Insider's journalism for The Athletic, not her conduct."
Based on relevant editorial guidelines applicable to reporters employed by The Athletic and its parent company, the New York Times, it's likely both.
"When reporting and writing stories we do not have an agenda and it is important that our readers understand that," the guidelines explain. "If our readers question our adherence to that basic tenet of journalism, our credibility will be at stake. To maintain the highest form of authority we should avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest and reveal those sources or affiliations that may put into question our ability to be credible."
If the conduct in question created a conflict of interest — or even the appearance of one — the conduct triggered a potential journalism issue. Given the editorial guidelines, it's impossible to separate the two.
The question is whether the conduct (i.e., an appearance of a conflict of interest, at a minimum) impacted Russini's reporting on any subject directly or indirectly relating to Vrabel. It will be interesting to see whether The Athletic eventually identifies specific reports that may have been tainted by an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
Russini reiterated her denial in her resignation letter, writing that following the publication of the initial set of photos "commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts." She has said nothing since the Post published photos of Russini and Vrabel from March 2020, or since Vrabel addressed the situation on multiple occasions when speaking with reporters.
In early May, Jon "Stugotz" Weiner hinted that Russini will eventually tell her story. It remains to be seen whether she does so before The Athletic completes its investigation, after the investigation concludes, or ever.
Via Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, the investigation launched by The Athletic into former NFL reporter Dianna Russini is "still ongoing."
Russini resigned more than two months ago, after The Athletic launched an investigation regarding her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. Photos of them at an Arizona resort published by the New York Post in early April sparked denials by both Russini and Vrabel of a personal relationship. Subsequent photos posted by the Post, coupled with public comments made by Vrabel, contradicted the denials.
Last week, the Post reported that the internal investigation as to Russini's reporting was a "few weeks away" from resolution.
McCarthy adds this "reminder" to his Thursday report: "The investigation is limited to the former Senior NFL Insider's journalism for The Athletic, not her conduct."
Based on relevant editorial guidelines applicable to reporters employed by The Athletic and its parent company, the New York Times, it's likely both.
"When reporting and writing stories we do not have an agenda and it is important that our readers understand that," the guidelines explain. "If our readers question our adherence to that basic tenet of journalism, our credibility will be at stake. To maintain the highest form of authority we should avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest and reveal those sources or affiliations that may put into question our ability to be credible."
If the conduct in question created a conflict of interest — or even the appearance of one — the conduct triggered a potential journalism issue. Given the editorial guidelines, it's impossible to separate the two.
The question is whether the conduct (i.e., an appearance of a conflict of interest, at a minimum) impacted Russini's reporting on any subject directly or indirectly relating to Vrabel. It will be interesting to see whether The Athletic eventually identifies specific reports that may have been tainted by an actual or apparent conflict of interest.
Russini reiterated her denial in her resignation letter, writing that following the publication of the initial set of photos "commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts." She has said nothing since the Post published photos of Russini and Vrabel from March 2020, or since Vrabel addressed the situation on multiple occasions when speaking with reporters.
In early May, Jon "Stugotz" Weiner hinted that Russini will eventually tell her story. It remains to be seen whether she does so before The Athletic completes its investigation, after the investigation concludes, or ever.