NFL Reporter Dianna Russini Under Investigation Over Mike Vrabel Pics

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Dianna Russini is taking a time out.

Following the online appearance of photos showing an NFL reporter and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, The Athletic is investigating the reporter, according to sources at TopMob News.

Sources say the sports publication owned by the New York Times started looking into Russini right after Page Six published photos of her with Vrabel. A first look at the photos—which show both of them, who are married, at a resort in Arizona—suggests they were taken while part of a larger group of friends.

However, further investigation has revealed more issues, which the news outlet is currently examining. As part of this process, they are also looking into past work by reporter Paula Faris Russini at The Athletic. She is not currently reporting while the review takes place.

TopMob News contacted representatives for Russini and Vrabel, but they haven’t responded. Additionally, The Athletic did not provide a statement when asked for comment.

Pictures published on April 7th showed journalist Erin Andrews and Patriots coach Brian Vrabel dancing and holding hands on a hotel rooftop in Sedona, Arizona. Another photo depicted them relaxing together in a hot tub. Soon after the photos appeared online, both Andrews and Vrabel released individual statements to address the resulting speculation.

Coach Mike Vrabel, a father of two, dismissed suggestions of anything inappropriate in the photos, calling them a harmless interaction. In a statement to Page Six on April 7th, he said the matter didn’t warrant further comment.

Meanwhile, Russini did share insight into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The pictures don’t accurately show the group of six people who were together earlier in the day,” she said in a statement to TopMob News. She, who shares two children with Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, explained that reporters often connect with sources outside of official locations like stadiums, just like most NFL journalists do.

For The Athletic‘s part, it initially defended its journalist, who joined the staff in 2023.

In a statement to TopMob News on April 7, Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, said the photos circulating were taken out of context and didn’t tell the full story. He emphasized that these were public interactions witnessed by numerous people, and that Dianna is a highly respected NFL journalist who they value at The Athletic.

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2026-04-13 23:47