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Sedona Today
By the People, for the People
The Athletic editor says 'new questions were raised' amid Dianna Russini investigation
Russini, a former NFL reporter, resigned amid controversy over photos with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel
Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:04am
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The complex relationship between sports journalists and the coaches they cover is deconstructed in this cubist-inspired illustration.Sedona TodayDianna Russini, formerly an NFL reporter and insider for The Athletic and the New York Times, resigned on April 14 amid controversy after photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel taken at an Arizona resort last month were published by the New York Post. In her resignation letter, Russini struck a defiant tone, while The Athletic's executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, acknowledged that 'new questions were raised' during the investigation into her conduct.
Why it matters
The resignation of a high-profile sports journalist like Russini amid an investigation into her conduct raises questions about journalistic ethics and the challenges faced by reporters covering professional sports teams and coaches.
The details
The photos published by the New York Post showed Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, in bathing suits poolside as well as hugging on a rooftop at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona, days before the NFL's annual league meeting in Phoenix. Both Vrabel and Russini are married to other people with whom they have children. The Athletic initially expressed support for Russini, but later opened an investigation into the matter and effectively benched her from reporting on the NFL. In his letter to staffers, Ginsberg wrote that 'as additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.'
- The photos were published by the New York Post on April 7, 2026.
- Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14, 2026.
- The Athletic's investigation into Russini's conduct began after the photos were published on April 7.
The players
Dianna Russini
A former NFL reporter and insider for The Athletic and the New York Times who resigned amid controversy over photos with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
Steven Ginsberg
The executive editor of The Athletic who acknowledged that 'new questions were raised' during the investigation into Russini's conduct.
Mike Vrabel
The 50-year-old head coach of the New England Patriots who was photographed with Russini at an Arizona resort.
What they’re saying
“(C)ommentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts. 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.”
— Dianna Russini, Former NFL reporter and insider for The Athletic
“While I can't share the details of our investigation into Dianna's conduct, I want to emphasize that the leadership of The Athletic has taken this matter seriously from the moment that we learned about it. ... When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter. As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”
— Steven Ginsberg, Executive editor, The Athletic
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn't deserve any further response.”
— Mike Vrabel
What’s next
Vrabel is expected to speak to reporters at some point during next week's NFL draft, which runs from April 23-25.
The takeaway
The resignation of a high-profile sports journalist like Russini amid an investigation into her conduct raises questions about journalistic ethics and the challenges faced by reporters covering professional sports teams and coaches. The situation highlights the need for clear guidelines and transparency around the relationships between reporters and the subjects they cover.
