Dianna Russini’s career in sports journalism could recover after bombshell photos of her with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel surfaced — if she takes a break from the spotlight.
“Can Russini’s career recover? Potentially,” Public Relations Specialist Ryan McCormick exclusively told Page Six. “The problem is that Russini must step away to allow the controversy to noticeably die down, and for public interest to wane, which it is not right now.”
When Russini is ready to return to the spotlight, McCormick believes she should return with control of her narrative.
“If I was advising Ms. Russini, I would recommend that she start her own podcast or streaming channel,” he said. “Dianna has 425,000 Twitter followers and 201,000 Instagram followers. She does have a captive audience and this program could potentially take off.”
He added, “I don’t think Ms. Russini will return to a mainstream media outlet for the foreseeable future, but it could happen one day.”
Chrissy Bernal, Founder/CEO of Be a Better Brand, agrees the sportscaster’s career “isn’t over” and believes she should focus on “rebuilding trust” with her audience.
“Because her credibility is one of her most important brand assets, it’s crucial she takes intentional steps to rebuild trust, especially amid the current overall trust recession,” she explained.
“She should step away briefly to gain clarity on what she can truthfully address, and then re-enter a lane where trust can be rebuilt over time. Perhaps her own platform, where she controls the framing, such as a podcast, Substack or long-form/in-depth reporting, can reestablish her authority and trust in the space.”
Meanwhile, public relations expert Stephanie Alston told Page Six that while Russini’s career is “not automatically over,” she needs to focus on “credibility.”
“The issue is not just the scandal itself, it is whether audiences, sources and future employers believe she can still operate with trust and professionalism,” Alston explained. “A rushed comeback usually backfires. The smartest path is to create distance from the noise, let the facts settle and then re-enter with clarity, consistency and a strategy that shows growth rather than panic.”
While the door doesn’t have to close on sports “forever,” Alston advises Russini to “rebuild through commentary, independent platforms, podcasting, or roles where they can control the narrative more carefully before stepping back into traditional reporting.”
She added, “The biggest mistake public figures make after a scandal is treating recovery like a quick PR exercise. Career recovery is really about behavior, patience, and credibility. The public may forgive, but employers and audiences usually need to see a pattern of steadiness before they fully buy back in and forgive.”
Page Six exclusively obtained bombshell photos of Russini and Vrabel while at the luxe boutique resort Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, last month.
A source told Page Six at the time that the two had breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant at around 10:30 a.m. on March 28. They then spent an hour by the pool and hot tub.
Later in the day, the sports journalist and the Patriots coach were seen holding hands and hugging in a private area of one of the hotel’s bungalows at sunset. The insider claimed the two briefly danced together.
In response to the pics, Vrabel told Page Six at the time, “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
Russini, who shares two children with Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt, added, “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Just days later, Russini resigned from her position at the Athletic amid their investigation into the photos.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” she wrote in a letter, released Tuesday. “When the Page Six item first appeared, the Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful.”
Russini added that “in the days that followed,” however, “commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation” that is “simply unmoored” from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process the Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept,” she continued.
“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
The Athletic’s Steven Ginsberg also spoke out amid the journalist’s resignation.
“While I can’t share the details of our investigation into Dianna’s conduct, I want to emphasize that the leadership at the Athletic has taken this matter seriously from the moment that we learned about it,” he said in a statement, also released on Tuesday.
“When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.”
Ginsberg concluded the statement by revealing that “additional information” has emerged, along with “new questions” that have been raised, which have become part of the ongoing investigation.
“Amid all of this, I want to sincerely thank everyone for continuing to produce the best sports report in the business,” he added. “I’m looking forward to focusing on journalism and continuing our momentum.”
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