The Athletic finds Russini-Vrabel relationship violated newsroom standards

The Athletic’s internal investigation found that the relationship between former NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was in “clear violation” of the newsroom’s standards.

The outlet, which is owned by the New York Times, released a report Thursday detailing the findings of a five-months-long investigation. Mike Semel, the Athletic’s editorial director for standards and quality, wrote that he was unable to find signs of clear bias in her coverage or determine the exact “nature of their relationship”, but said it gave the appearance of a conflict of interest.

“Russini’s relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic’s standards,” Semel wrote. “Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed.”

Semel added: “I’ve not found a clear link to conclude that Russini used her platform to help promote Vrabel or help his teams during her time at The Athletic. That said, there are examples of Russini writing glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable.”

The investigation began after the New York Post published photos of Russini and Vrabel at an Arizona resort, taken around the time of the NFL owners meetings in March. Some appeared to show the two embracing and holding hands. Russini and Vrabel, who are married to other people, said the interaction was platonic. Russini said the photos did not reflect that they were part of a larger group gathering, and Vrabel called any suggestion of impropriety “laughable”.

The Athletic initially defended Russini, with its executive editor saying the photos lacked context, but the outlet began a review of her work after additional photos and reporting raised questions about the nature of their relationship. Russini, who had joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, resigned on 14 April.

“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini said in her resignation letter.

The NFL opted not to investigate Vrabel’s behavior, and the coach publicly addressed the situation soon after Russini’s resignation, saying it prompted “difficult conversations” and that he would seek counseling.

The New York Times Company and Russini declined comment to ESPN and the New York Times.

In the report, Semel said he reviewed 903 stories, 77 videos and more than 200 podcast episodes that contained Russini’s reporting. Russini, the report said, told editors that her and Vrabel’s relationship was “close” but “strictly professional”.

“The vast majority of Russini’s work for The Athletic had nothing to do with Vrabel, the teams he was coaching or the players the team was pursuing,” Semel wrote. “Russini’s work was seldom reliant on Vrabel as a source or subject. In interviews with editors and reporters with whom she worked most closely, it was clear Russini was sourced up around the NFL, not just with Vrabel or the Patriots.”

“But of course,” he wrote, “the appearances surrounding her relationship with Vrabel undermines our audience’s confidence in her impartiality.”