The story around Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel has now taken a bigger turn, and this time, the focus is not just on the photos. It is now about how their own newsroom handled it. Staff members from The Athletic and its parent company, The New York Times, have openly questioned the response that came out after the pictures went public. According to Status News, many inside the organisation felt the reaction was rushed and confusing. Some even described it as “unnecessarily messy,” “reckless,” and “premature.” This has now turned a simple photo story into a bigger debate about journalism, trust, and internal decisions.
Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel’s photos spark internal criticism
The issue started when the New York Post Page Six shared photos from March 28, 2026. The pictures showed Mike Vrabel, a well-known NFL coach, and Dianna Russini, a senior NFL reporter, spending time together at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona. They were seen hugging, sitting by the pool, and talking closely. Both of them responded quickly. Mike Vrabel called the story “laughable.” Dianna Russini told Page Six that they were not alone and were part of larger groups during that trip. She made it clear there was no inappropriate behaviour. Soon after, The Athletic’s executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, stepped in with a public statement. He said:
“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.” He also said the photos were “misleading” and missing “essential context.”
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