ESPN
The chatter around the Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel situation isn’t set to die down anytime soon. According to reports, The Athletic has opened into an official probe of Russini’s explanation of the photos.
In addition to publishing pictures of The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel getting close at an Arizona resort — the pair was photographed lounging poolside, soaking in a hot tub, and hugging/holding hands on a private rooftop — Page Six also reported on statements from the pair, with Russini saying:
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor of the New York Times’ owned outlet, also issued a statement defending Russini, adding: “These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
The Athletic is reportedly probing Dianna Russini on her explanation of the photos taken of her and Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort
Despite the denial from Russini and backing from Ginsberg, however, her explanation is now being investigated by The Athletic, according to Front Office Sports.
“The Athletic is probing Dianna Russini’s explanation about photos with Mike Vrabel that were published in the New York Post earlier this week, sources told Front Office Sports. Sources told FOS that The Athletic is pressing for proof about Russini’s claim that they were there with other people.”
In addition to the probe, further reports from Awful Announcing indicate that former NFL backup quarterback Chase Daniel is stepping away from Scoop City, the podcast he hosted alongside Russini, following the expiration of his contract, with The Athletic claiming that the show has been “in transition since the Super Bowl as we explore changes to the podcast.”
Russini and Vrabel were photographed at the Ambiente Sedona, an “adult’s only” luxury resort that is a 2+ hour drive from where the NFL’s owner’s meetings were held, thus negating any claims that the pair were simply hanging out at a league-sponsored venue.
Both fans and NFL insiders have also begun to suspect that the pair were tracked down, followed, and photographed by a private investigator given both how expensive it is to stay at the Ambiente Sedona — between $1800 and $3000 per night — and the publication of an additional photo of the pair at a bar in Indianapolis around the time of this year’s NFL Combine.