The Athletic editor says 'new questions were raised' amid Dianna Russini investigation
Dianna Russini, formerly an NFL reporter and insider for The Athletic and, by extension, the New York Times, resigned April 14 amid controversy after pictures of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel taken at an Arizona resort last month were published published by the New York Post on April 7.
In her resignation letter to The Athletic's executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, she struck an often defiant tone, writing in part: "(C)ommentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts. Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.
"Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now - before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career."
However in a letter to The Athletic's staff, Ginsberg not only acknowledged Russini's sudden departure but expressed that, during the course of the investigation into her conduct, "new questions were raised."
Here's what The Athletic editor Steven Ginsberg sent to the company after Dianna Russini's resignation: pic.twitter.com/LhdcjHDQDt
- Deadspin (@Deadspin) April 14, 2026
Ginsberg had originally expressed support for Russini after the Post's photos showed her and Vrabel in bathing suits poolside as well as hugging on a rooftop at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, days before each of them attended the NFL's annual league meeting in Phoenix. Both Vrabel, 50, and Russini, 43, are married to other people with whom they have children.
"These photos are misleading and lack essential context," Ginsberg said in a statement on April 8. "These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we're proud to have her at The Athletic."
However a few days later, The Athletic, which is owned by the New York Times, opened an investigation into the matter and effectively benched Russini from further reporting on the NFL.
In his letter to staffers Tuesday, Ginsberg wrote in part: "While I can't share the details of our investigation into Dianna's conduct, I want to emphasize that the leadership of The Athletic has taken this matter seriously from the moment that we learned about it. ... When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter. As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation."
According to the Times'editorial standards handbook, "Relationships with sources require sound judgment and self discipline to prevent the fact or appearance of partiality."
"Clearly, romantic involvement with a news source would foster an appearance of partiality," the handbook also states. "Therefore staff members who develop close relationships with people who might figure in coverage they provide, edit, package or supervise must disclose those relationships to the standards editor."
The handbooks goes on to state that, "To avoid such conflicts, staff members may not write, edit or oversee coverage about people to whom they are related by blood or marriage or with whom they have close personal relationships."
Vrabel addressed the pictures the day after they were published.
"These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,"he told the Post in a statement last week.
"This doesn't deserve any further response."
NANCY ARMOUR: Dianna Russini put credibility of all women in sports at risk | Opinion
He has not said anything since, and the Patriots haven't offered much more. Asked on April 13 about Vrabel's role as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL draft, New England vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said the coach had been, "Very involved. Business as usual. He's been in there with us a little more than he was last year."
Vrabel is expected to speak to reporters at some point during next week's draft, which runs from April 23-25.
All NFL news on and off the field.Sign upfor USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dianna Russini's editor comments after Vrable photos, The Athletic resignation