The New York Times has sidelined top NFL reporter Dianna Russini after Page Six published photographs that appeared to show her holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
We’re told the publication is investigating the situation and “reviewing her coverage,” and that Russini won’t be reporting for the outlet while the probe is underway.
“After Page Six reached out to Dianna for comment, the Athletic immediately began an investigation,” a source familiar with the situation told us Friday.
“While the apparent conduct in the photos raised questions for [the Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg] and leadership at the Athletic, an initial review suggested the images provided lacked context, specifically the presence of a larger group of friends,” the source added.
But “new details from the Page Six report and information from the investigation raised additional concerns that are now being reviewed further. The investigation is ongoing.”
Russini is the “senior NFL insider” for the Athletic, the once-independent site that was acquired by the Times and now provides the paper’s sports coverage.
On Tuesday, we reported that Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, were photographed on Saturday, March 28, at the luxe Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona.
An eyewitness told us the pair — both married to other people — had breakfast on the patio of the hotel restaurant before lounging side-by-side in a hot tub.
The spy spotted Vrabel and Russini again that evening on the private rooftop of one of the hotel’s bungalows at sunset where they hugged at sunset, weaving their fingers together. The spy said they saw them briefly dancing.
Sources close to Vrabel and Russini had told us that they were at the resort, a romantic favorite for honeymooners, with four other friends who were not visible in our pictures.
But three other eyewitnesses told us they did not see anyone else with the pair. Asked if the Pats coach visited the hotel with a group of friends, one eyewitness said: “No, he was with a girl.” And our sequence of photographs taken at various points during the day show only Vrabel and Russini.
Before Page Six published the story, the Athletic’s Ginsberg told us: “These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at the Athletic.”
Now, the insider said: “Her coverage is being reviewed. That process is expected to take time. She will not be reporting in the interim.”
Vrabel, who took over as the Pats’ coach in January 2025 and took the team to the Super Bowl that year, told Page Six Tuesday, “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”
And Russini told us, “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.”
Russini married Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt in 2020. They have two children.
Vrabel and wife Jen reportedly met as student athletes at Ohio State University and celebrated 25 years of marriage in 2024. They have two sons, one of whom, Tyler, briefly played for the Atlanta Falcons.
As we published this story, Front Office Sports also reported that the Athletic had begun an investigation.
The Athletic declined to comment.
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