An internal review by The Athletic concluded that former NFL reporter Dianna Russini violated the outlet's standards regarding a relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The review, led by editorial director for standards and quality Mike Semel, examined 903 written stories, 204 podcast episodes, and 77 videos produced by Russini. As a result of the findings, the New York Times-owned publication added editor’s notes to one written article and three videos that were found to have not met company standards.
The review followed photos published by the New York Post showing Russini and Vrabel at a resort in Sedona, Arizona, in March 2026, before annual NFL meetings in Phoenix. Both individuals are married. While the review did not reach a conclusion regarding the nature of the relationship, the report stated that the public photographs were enough to conclude a violation of company policy. Semel wrote that the relationship was a "clear violation" and a "breach" that should have been disclosed regardless of whether it was romantic. Russini resigned from The Athletic in April 2026.
In a message to employees on Thursday, September 3, 2026, executive editor Steven Ginsberg stated the review was conducted to ensure the integrity of the outlet's journalism and maintain audience trust. The report noted that the vast majority of Russini's work was unrelated to Vrabel. Russini told the Associated Press on Thursday that she stands by her April resignation letter, in which she stated she had covered the league with professionalism and that she refused to let "speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts" define her career.
The investigation affects the editorial record of The Athletic by adding editor’s notes to four pieces of content. The report clarifies that while 903 stories were scrutinized, the identified breaches were limited to a small fraction of the reporter's total output.
Mike Vrabel, the reigning AP NFL Coach of the Year who led the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance in February 2026, previously took a brief leave of absence for counseling during the third day of the NFL draft following the photo release. The NFL declined to open an investigation into Vrabel’s conduct. For Russini, the conclusion of the review serves as a formal company response to her April statement that The Athletic had supported her "unequivocally" when the photos first appeared.
The Athletic’s decision to publish these findings publicly addresses a policy where even the appearance of a non-disclosed relationship is treated as a breach of journalistic standards. While Vrabel stated on Thursday that he has "moved on" as he prepares for the upcoming season, the editor's notes will remain on the affected digital content. No further disciplinary actions or litigation were reported as of September 3, 2026.