Dianna Russini Exploring New Roles After Resignation from The Athletic
Former NFL insider Dianna Russini is reportedly in talks for a return to sports media, with potential opportunities at Barstool Sports and other outlets, following an internal investigation that cleared most of her reporting of bias.
Dianna Russini, who left The Athletic in April after an internal probe into her personal relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, is said to be evaluating several job offers in sports media. Sources indicate discussions range from a pro-football insider position to a personality-focused role, with Barstool Sports mentioned as a leading candidate.
The Athletic, owned by The New York Times, released findings from a five-month investigation that found Russini’s relationship with Vrabel violated company standards but provided "scant evidence" that it affected her coverage. The review examined 903 articles and videos, 204 podcast episodes, and 25 off-platform appearances, concluding that only about five percent touched on Vrabel or his teams and that most references were transactional rather than promotional.
Executive editor Steve Ginsberg noted that four stories received editor’s notes for not meeting standards, but overall the work was deemed largely unrelated to Vrabel. The investigation also criticized Russini’s handling of the media confrontation over photos published by the New York Post, citing delayed disclosure and inaccurate explanations.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy described hiring Russini as a "no-brainer," emphasizing that personal matters should not end a professional career. Fox Sports Radio host Jon "Stugotz" Weiner also offered support, stating he would consider employing her if needed.
Russini resigned citing the intense media scrutiny surrounding the incident and indicated she would step aside before her contract expired on June 30. She maintained confidence in her reporting, stating she stands behind every story she published.