The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, has publicly responded to the "controversy" surrounding its lead NFL insider, Dianna Russini.
Russini, who left ESPN for The Athletic, was photographed last month at a resort in Arizona ahead of the NFL meetings. She was lounging by the pool with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Other photos showed Russini and Vrabel embracing with hand holding and hugging.
“A Page Six spy tells us that the pair — both married to other people — had breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, before spending a leisurely hour or so together at the pool and lounging side-by-side in a hot tub,” their report states. “Our spy spotted Vrabel and Russini again that evening on the private rooftop of one of the hotel’s bungalows, which feature glass walls offering panoramic views of the state’s famed Red Rock formations.”
Vrabel and Russini, who both are married, have denied speculation about a relationship.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel told the New York Post. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
ESPN.
Russini, meanwhile, said similar things.
“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.”
The Athletic is standing by Russini
While some have called for The Athletic and the New York Times to discipline or take action against Russini, they are standing by her.
Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic, offered a comment to Page Six.
“These photos are misleading and lack essential context,” he said. “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.”
They are standing by their reporter.
