Internal probe finds Dianna Russini’s ties to Patriots coach to be ‘awkward’ and ‘uncomfortable’
NBC News • • sports
Key Points:
- The Athletic concluded that former NFL reporter Dianna Russini had a close and “awkward” relationship with Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, which she failed to disclose, violating the publication’s standards.
- Despite the relationship, The Athletic’s editorial director Mike Semel found no clear evidence that Russini used her platform to improperly promote Vrabel or his teams during her tenure.
- Semel reviewed extensive content authored or contributed to by Russini, including 903 stories, 77 videos, and 204 podcast episodes, but did not interview Russini herself for the investigation.
- Russini resigned from The Athletic in April after photos of her with the married Vrabel at an Arizona hotel surfaced, drawing public scrutiny.
- The investigation highlighted a 2023 column by Russini that confidently stated Vrabel would not be fired, a prediction proven incorrect when the Titans dismissed him two months later.
