The Athletic is investigating the conduct of a senior N.F.L. reporter, Dianna Russini, after the publication of photographs that showed her with Mike Vrabel, the head coach for the New England Patriots, according to a person familiar with the inquiry.
Earlier this week, The New York Post’s Page Six column published photos of Ms. Russini and Mr. Vrabel holding hands and hugging at a resort in Arizona, as well as sitting together in the hotel’s hot tub.
According to the person familiar with The Athletic’s investigation, the nature of Ms. Russini’s relationship with Mr. Vrabel and her coverage are being reviewed and she will not be reporting while the investigation is underway.
The Athletic’s editorial guidelines require that their journalists avoid any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict, so as not to call into question their credibility. The Athletic is owned by The New York Times Company.
Ms. Russini told The Post that she and Mr. Vrabel were there with a group of friends: “Like most journalists in the N.F.L., reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.” Mr. Vrabel told The Post that the photos “show a completely innocent interaction.”
Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor of The Athletic, said in a statement to The Post that the photos were misleading and “lack essential context.”
“These were public interactions in front of many people,” he said. “Dianna is a premier journalist covering the N.F.L. and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
Ms. Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 and is a co-host of the “Scoop City” podcast. She previously worked at ESPN, where she was a “SportsCenter” anchor.
Ms. Russini, Mr. Vrabel and Mr. Ginsberg did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Katie Robertson covers the media industry for The Times. Email: [email protected]
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