Dianna Russini under internal investigation at The Athletic, sources say
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Photos have emerged showing New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel with The Athletic/New York Times NFL reporter Dianna Russini at a facility in Arizona earlier this week, and now the reporter is the subject of an internal investigation.
Athletic managing editor Steven Ginsberg initially released a statement to the New York Post. Page Six April 7 called the photos “misleading.”
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” Ginsberg initially said. “These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a leading journalist covering the NFL, and we are proud to have her on The Athletic.”
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Cars and taxis pass the New York Times sign above the entrance to the newspaper’s corporate headquarters in New York City’s Times Square. January 27, 2023. (Yuriy T/iStock)
Sources familiar with the discussions at The Athletic told Fox News that Digital Russini is being investigated, true to Ginsberg’s initial statement.
Sources responded to Fox News Digital after Page Six and Front Office Sports reported the internal investigation into Russini.
“After Page Six reached out to Dianna for comment on Tuesday, The Athletic immediately launched an investigation. While the apparent behavior in the photos raises questions for Steven and leadership at The Athletic, an initial review suggested the images provided lacked context, particularly the presence of a larger group of friends,” a source said.
“New details in the Page Six report and information from the investigation have raised additional concerns that are currently being reviewed further. The investigation is ongoing.”
The source added that Russini’s news is being reviewed, this is expected to take time, and that Russini will not make news in the meantime.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel celebrates after the AFC championship game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on January 25, 2026 in Denver, Colo. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The New York Times declined to comment.
photos, originally published Page Six shows the coach and the journalist holding hands and embracing on the rooftop of a vacation bungalow in Sedona, Arizona.
Addressing the photos, Vrabel told Page Six: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion to the contrary is laughable. This does not deserve any further response.”
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel stands on the sidelines during the first half of the NFL wild card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Charles Krupa/AP)
Russini told the press: “The photos are not representative of the six-man group hanging out throughout the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
The photos and subsequent responses became the subject of a major national debate in the sports world this week.
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