Dianna Russini announced on Tuesday that she has resigned from The Athletic. This decision was made exactly a week after Page Six dropped its story on her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
Page Six shared photos of Russini and Vrabel holding hands at a luxurious hotel in Sedona, Arizona. This was right before the NFL's annual league meeting on March 29. Both sides slammed any and all accusations about them having an inappropriate relationship.
"The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day," Russini said. "Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues."
Even though Russini denied any wrongdoing, she has decided to step away from her role as an NFL insider for The Athletic.
"I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful. In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts," Russini said in her letter to The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg.
"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."
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
What's next for Russini?
It's too early to tell if Russini will continue to break stories in the NFL world or if she'll choose a new career path.
All we know is that former ESPN radio host Jon Weiner, who is better known as Stugotz, offered her a gig before she even announced her resignation.
“I’ll tell you this on the front end of any Dianna Russini discussion I’m going to have. If The Athletic gets rid of her, she’ll be sitting right next to me and Izzy doing the show,” Stugotz said. “I support my friends, I don’t bail on my friends, especially at their worst professional time in their history. I don’t do that to them, ok?"
We'll see if Russini ends up joining forces with one of her former ESPN colleagues.
