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Dianna Russini has told people in the NFL that she plans to return to sports media work next week, according to a source cited by NBC Sports. Her employer, role and specific return date have not been identified. Russini resigned from The Athletic in April after an investigation found her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel breached the outlet’s standards; she denied impropriety.
Dianna Russini has told people in the NFL that she plans to return to work in sports media next week, according to a source with knowledge of the situation cited by NBC Sports on Wednesday. Her next employer, job and exact start date have not been disclosed, leaving the report as an indication of her plans rather than confirmation of a new position.
The source told NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk that Russini had begun getting the word out to people around the league that she would be back “next week.” The report did not identify the source or describe whether Russini has signed with a media organization, accepted a specific assignment or settled on a format for her return.
Russini resigned from The Athletic in April, one week after the New York Post published photographs of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort. In comments to the Post and in her resignation letter, she denied that there had been any impropriety. Those denials are distinct from the findings later made public by The Athletic.
The Athletic released the findings of an internal review in early September. Mike Semel, who conducted the review, wrote that Russini’s relationship with Vrabel violated the publication’s standards and should have been disclosed, regardless of whether it was romantic. Semel also criticized her handling of the initial response to the photographs, saying she waited two days to inform editors and managers and gave an explanation that did not align with the facts.
A Return After The Athletic Exit
Russini’s possible return would bring a prominent NFL reporter back into sports media after a departure shaped by questions about disclosure, editorial standards and trust. Those questions are not just about where she may work: they could affect how audiences and colleagues assess her reporting and how a future employer addresses the circumstances of her exit.
The available report does not establish that any outlet has hired Russini, nor does it say what responsibilities she might take on. If she does return, the public and professional response may depend in part on whether a new organization offers details about her role and the standards governing her work. That is an implication of the situation, not a stated condition of a confirmed deal.
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How the April Resignation Unfolded
The controversy began publicly after the New York Post published photographs of Russini and Vrabel at an Arizona resort. Russini left The Athletic the following month. She denied impropriety in her comments to the newspaper and resignation letter, while The Athletic’s later review focused on its own standards and her handling of the disclosures.
In the review released in September, Semel said the relationship breached The Athletic’s rules even if it was not romantic, and should have been disclosed. He also questioned Russini’s account of how she responded when first asked about the photographs. The source material does not provide further details about the review process or any response from Russini to its published findings.
NBC Sports also referenced a separate episode in which Russini publicly described being stopped for texting while driving and said she had FaceTimed a head coach for help with the ticket. The report characterized that account as part of the scrutiny around her credibility; it did not provide a date for the traffic stop or further documentation about it.
““next week””
— A source with knowledge of the situation, as cited by NBC Sports
The Job and Date Are Unknown
NBC Sports’ report does not name a prospective employer, confirm that Russini has signed a contract or specify what work she would do. “Next week” is the timing attributed to the source, but the report gives no calendar date, outlet announcement or direct statement from Russini confirming the plan.
It is also unclear whether the return would involve NFL reporting, another sports-media role or a different format. The source material contains no response from Russini, Vrabel or a potential employer, and it does not say whether she has addressed The Athletic’s September findings since they were published.
Awaiting a Confirmed Role
The next clear development would be a direct announcement from Russini or a media organization identifying where she will work and when. Until one is made, the reported plan remains a source-based account of what she has told people in the league, not confirmation that a position is in place.
If Russini returns next week as reported, details about her assignment and any explanation of how she will address the issues raised by The Athletic’s review may clarify what the move means for her coverage of the NFL. No such details have been announced in the source material.
Key Questions
Is Dianna Russini returning to work next week?
NBC Sports reports that a source with knowledge of the situation said Russini has told people in the NFL she will return “next week.” The report does not include a direct confirmation from Russini.
Where will Russini work?
No employer has been identified. The NBC Sports report says it is unclear where she will work and what she will do.
Why did Russini leave The Athletic?
Russini resigned in April after photographs of her and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at an Arizona resort were published by the New York Post. The Athletic later said its review found her relationship with Vrabel breached its standards and should have been disclosed. Russini denied impropriety.
What did The Athletic’s review say?
Mike Semel, who conducted the review, wrote that the relationship violated The Athletic’s standards regardless of whether it was romantic. He also criticized Russini’s delay in notifying editors about the photographs and said her explanation did not align with the facts.
Source: nbcsports.com
