Before the scandal involving the coach of the New England Patriots Mike Vrabel blew up his professional life, Dianna Russini he did it at the bank.
Russini, 43, had an annual salary close to $800,000 as Athletic‘s senior NFL insider, according to a story published by The New York Times Wednesday, June 24.
That number is reported to have made him one of the highest paid journalists in the New York Times company, which he owns Athletic.
When shame arises, Athletic he was negotiating with Russini about renewing his contract, which was due to expire at the end of June.
That, of course, did not materialize after that Page Six published photos of Russini and Vrabel, 50, together at an Arizona resort in April. The photos, which showed the two touching hands and sharing a hot tub, were taken last month.
Other outlets, including TMZ, later published additional photos of Russini and Vrabel — both married with children — from March 2020, when they were spotted kissing at a bar in New York City.
A week later Page Six shared the first photos of Russini and Vrabel, announced his resignation.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I follow every story I’ve ever published,” he said in a written statement shared on social media on April 14. Page Six something started to appear, Athletic he supported me without hesitation, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I thank you. In the following days, unfortunately, commentators in various media outlets have indulged in arrogant speculations that cannot be denied by the facts.”
Mike Vrabel
Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesRussini continued, “Moreover, this media frenzy continues regardless of the review process that Athletic is trying to eliminate. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in sending a public investigation that has caused more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allow this to continue, I have decided to let my contract expire on June 30 – before I quit my contract now. episode, but because I refuse to lend it another breath or let it define me or my work.”
An internal investigation into the relationship between New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini is reportedly still ongoing nearly two months after it began. The Athletic’s editor-in-chief, Steven Ginsberg, held a hands-on meeting with the staff last week where he gave an update, according to a press release. […]
Despite his resignation, Russini has never directly addressed his relationship with Vrabel or admitted that he had a relationship with the head coach.
Vrabel has also focused on the issue in public speaking, but he briefly left the Patriots during the 2026 NFL draft in April to attend counseling.
“I promised my family, this organization and this team that I would give them the best form I could give them. In order to do that, I have committed to getting counseling, starting this weekend,” he said in a statement on April 22. “This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and it is something that I would advise a player to do if I counseled him.”
The statement continued, “I have always wanted to be a role model, and I believe that this is what I need to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I can be. This is not something that is easy for me to admit, but it is something that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and I promise a strong determination because of it.”
