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The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg addressed staff at an all-hands meeting on April 29, admitting that communication was unclear in how the outlet handled the scandal. Ginsberg mea culpa represents a massive 180 from his initial public support for Dianna Russini when the Ambiente Sedona photos were first published in early April.
When the photos of Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holding hands and sharing a hot tub at the adults-only Arizona resort on April 7, Steven Ginsberg initially defended Russini, calling the photos “misleading” and lacking “essential context.”
However, as additional information emerged in the subsequent days and weeks — including photos of Russini and Vrabel together in 2020 and 2024 — Ginsberg acknowledged in a note to The Athletic staff that “new questions were raised” and that they were opening an investigation into her conduct. Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14 and has not made a public statement since.
The editor of The Athletic addressed the staff about the Dianna Russini scandal and admitted that they did not handle it properly
Yesterday, during an internal all-hands meeting, Ginsberg apologized to staff via a prepared statement for how the whole thing was handled, which suggests the internal fallout extends beyond Russini’s departure. An ongoing investigation led by editorial director Mike Semel is expected to take time to conclude, according to Front Office Sports.
“On Wednesday, executive editor Steven Ginsberg read a statement that he prepared lasting about 10 minutes, in which he acknowledged that communications could have been more clear. He said that a previously-reported investigation into the matter, led by The Athletic‘s editorial director for standards and editorial quality Mike Semel, is ongoing and expected to be lengthy. Ginsberg did not take questions from staff during the all-hands, but said that he is available for direct contact, sources said.”
Since the breaking of the scandal, questions have been raised about whether her coverage was compromised by an undisclosed personal relationship with Vrabel, and whether The Athletic‘s initial defense of her was appropriate given what they knew.
While Russini hasn’t been heard from in weeks, Vrabel has spoken to the media multiple times. Earlier this week, he made an appearance at a Patriots season ticket holder event and received a standing ovation from the crowd.