Dianna Russini plans return to sports media

Russini is preparing to return to sports media after leaving The Athletic in April. She has told people around the NFL that she expects to announce a new position in the week after November 4, though details of the job remain unclear. People in the industry have heard she may join a gambling or prediction company.

Russini resigned after photos published in April showed her with Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, at a resort in Sedona, Arizona. The pair said their encounter was innocent and that they were at the resort with friends. The Athletic later reviewed her work and concluded that her relationship with Vrabel breached its standards because it had not been disclosed, regardless of whether it was romantic.

The controversy followed Russini from her role as the outlet’s senior NFL insider. She previously worked at ESPN from 2015 to 2023. In April, former colleague Jon “Stugotz” Wiener said on his radio show that he would offer her a place on his program if The Athletic let her go.

Vrabel said he would focus on giving his family, team and fans his best going forward. Later that month, he said he was seeking counseling and would miss the third day of the NFL Draft. Russini’s new role and the timing of her announcement are still to be confirmed.