Tensions are mounting at the New York Times as the awaited report on Dianna Russini’s connection with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is yet to be finalized, with publication still several weeks away.
Russini, who recently departed her role as an NFL reporter at The Athletic, a subsidiary of the Times, left soon after revealing photos surfaced in early April. The images showed her in a seemingly intimate situation with Vrabel at an adult-only resort in Arizona. Notably, both Russini and Vrabel are married with families.
Initially, Steven Ginsberg, Russini’s superior at The Athletic, defended her vigorously. However, she was placed on leave and later resigned following Ginsberg’s statement that “additional information emerged.”
Although an investigation was initiated, it has been two months, and staff at The Athletic are growing impatient with the slow progress, according to Page Six.
Ginsberg reportedly informed the staff last week, “It’s going to take a few more weeks.”
He further explained, “There’s just a lot to go through, and we obviously want to take our time and be careful doing that.”
Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini were pictured appearing intimate at a resort in Arizona
Russini then resigned from The Athletic, who have launched an investigation into the scandal
‘We will update everybody when we get to the end of that. We’ve also said that if we find anything that needs to be corrected, we will correct it along the way.’
Russini vehemently denied all suggestions of an affair with Vrabel, insisting in a statement announcing her resignation that she stands by every story she has published.
The Patriots coach denied it too, initially, alongside Russini’s claim that they were at the resort with friends. But subsequently, Vrabel said he had started counseling in order ‘to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be’.
He even missed the third day of the NFL Draft with the Patriots as a result of his move.
‘I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling,’ Vrabel said.
‘This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them.
‘This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.’
Vrabel has since done his best to get back to business and focus on football with the Patriots, who he led to the Super Bowl last season before losing to Seattle Seahawks.
Russini and husband Kevin Goldschmidt were married in New Jersey in September 2020
Vrabel has been married to his wife, Jen, for over two decades and they have two children
News of the investigation still being weeks away from a conclusion won’t be ideal for him as he builds up to the 2026 campaign starting September.
Speaking last week, Vrabel declared his love for his wife Jen when a reporter quizzed him over his work-life balance.
‘I appreciate my family, I love Jen, I love the boys [Tyler and Carter], I love my personal friends,’ Vrabel said.
‘We all have to deal with things outside of here… My focus, and obviously the excitement that I have for coaching, is what is most important right now, and this is a great opportunity.’
Vrabel’s attempts at accountability came in stark contrast to his initial reaction to the Post’s photos, which he described as ‘laughable’ when reached for comment by Page Six. He then remained silent on the issue until just before the NFL Draft.
Asked about his initial ‘laughable’ comment, Vrabel admitted in April: ‘I think that was, always an attempt to protect your family and I would never be dismissive.’
Mike and Jen Vrabel were married in 1999 after meeting at Ohio State, where she studied to become a dental hygienist.
Russini has since been seen in public with her husband. They were spotted outside their New Jersey home together and again at a bar in central Manhattan near Madison Square Garden, before a Bruce Springsteen concert.
