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Report: Patriots Tried to Stop NY Post from Publishing Vrabel-Russini Photos
The story of the Patriots coach and former reporter's encounter at an adults-only resort continues to unfold.
Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:38am
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The tangled web of allegations and attempts to control the narrative surrounding the Vrabel-Russini encounter reflects the complexities of modern sports media.NYC TodayAccording to a new report, the New England Patriots attempted to pressure the New York Post into not publishing photos of head coach Mike Vrabel and former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona. The Post reportedly gave Vrabel more time to respond than usual, which allowed Patriots owner Robert Kraft to intervene, but the newspaper ultimately published the story.
Why it matters
This story has become a major distraction for the Patriots organization, raising questions about the conduct of their head coach and the team's efforts to suppress unflattering information. It also highlights the challenges faced by media outlets in reporting sensitive stories involving public figures.
The details
The latest twist in the story comes from an InTouch report, which has been amplified by Yahoo Sports. The report claims that the Patriots tried to stop the New York Post from publishing the photos of Vrabel and Russini, with a 'notorious crisis strategist' making the call on the team's behalf. However, the Post reportedly was 'open to changing the tone of the story or possibly not running it' if Vrabel and Russini could provide evidence to back up their claims that they were on separate trips with friends.
- The New York Post first published the photos of Vrabel and Russini on April 8, 2026.
- The InTouch report was posted late on April 19, 2026.
The players
Mike Vrabel
The head coach of the New England Patriots, who was photographed at an adults-only resort with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini.
Dianna Russini
A former reporter for The Athletic who was photographed at an adults-only resort with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Robert Kraft
The owner of the New England Patriots, who reportedly intervened to try and stop the New York Post from publishing the photos of Vrabel and Russini.
New York Post
The newspaper that first published the photos of Vrabel and Russini at the adults-only resort.
What’s next
It remains to be seen if the Patriots will face any further scrutiny or consequences for their reported efforts to suppress the publication of the Vrabel-Russini photos.
The takeaway
This story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by media outlets in reporting on sensitive stories involving public figures, as well as the lengths that organizations may go to in order to try and control the narrative. It also raises questions about the conduct of the Patriots' leadership and their willingness to intervene in media reporting.
