Dianna RussiniThe employer has confirmed an investigation into the conduct of the NFL amid allegations of misconduct with an NFL coach Mike Vrabel.
“Athletic is investigating the conduct of a top NFL reporter, Dianna Russini, after photos were published showing her with Mike Vrabel, the coach of the New England Patriots, according to a person familiar with the investigation.” Athleticowned by The New York Timesreported on Saturday, April 11.
In accordance with AthleticRussini will not report during the investigation.
“Athletic“Editorial guidelines require their journalists to avoid any material that conflicts with interests or the appearance of a conflict, so as not to question their credibility,” the report said.
Russini, 43, has been in hot water since photos of her and Vrabel, 50, were published. Page Six on Tuesday, April 7. One of the photos shows the two – both married – holding hands. One shows them hugging each other.
Both Russini and Vrabel downplayed the photos, saying they were at an Arizona resort with a group of friends and any interaction between the two was anecdotal and innocent.
“The pictures did not injure a group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” said Russini in a statement. Page Six. “Like most reporters in the NFL, reporters communicate with sources far away from stadiums and other locations.”
Vrabel added, “These pictures show an innocent interaction and any suggestion is ridiculous. This deserves no other response.”
Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini
Courtesy Dianna Russini/InstagramAthleticA great editor Steven Ginsberg He previously issued a statement defending Russini, saying the photos “have no important content.”
“This was public communication in front of a lot of people,” Ginsberg said. “Dianna is a premier NFL reporter and we are proud to have her Athletic.”
Russini has worked Athletic starting in 2023, although his contract is up in August – just before the start of the 2026-2027 NFL season.
Vrabel is married to his wife, Jensince 1999. The couple were college sweethearts at Ohio State University and share a son Tyler again Carter.
Russini is married Kevin Goldschmidtvice president of HR technology at Shake Shack, as of September 2020. The two share sons Michael again Joey.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini became the center of a media firestorm after photos surfaced showing the two holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort. The photos, published by Page Six on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, show Vrabel and Russini at a boutique hotel in Sedona. According to […]
In February 2026, Russini appeared in Stugotz and Company Radio show and he made a joke about his mother telling her that “her marriage is falling apart.”
“I went back to him,” said Russini. “I said, ‘Why would you say that to me right now while I’m on a trip that my husband has a girlfriend?'”
Russini commented on her husband in a 2021 episode of ESPN’s Stand upsaying that she is “married to a common man,” and adding that if she continues to talk about him on national TV, “they will be separated by Christmas.”
“We are equal together, [and] you know what’s the worst part?” he said at the time. “He sent me a text during that part — I don’t look at it, because he actually works for a living — and he said, ‘Good luck. Farewell to Awake.’ The boy has a heart of gold. Here I am on national television killing him.”
