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Sports journalism is facing renewed scrutiny after an internal investigation by The Athletic found that former reporter Dianna Russini’s relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel violated the company’s newsroom standards.
The findings were published Thursday, Sept. 3, following a nearly five-month review into Russini’s reporting, media appearances and professional relationship with Vrabel. The Athletic’s editorial director for standards and editorial quality, Mike Semel, concluded that the relationship should have been disclosed, regardless of whether it was romantic.
Explosive Findings From The Athletic Investigation
“Russini’s relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic’s standards,” Semel wrote in the report. “Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed.”
The investigation began after the New York Post published photographs showing Russini and Vrabel together at an adults-only resort. Russini resigned from The Athletic shortly afterward. The Athletic is owned by The New York Times.
According to the findings, Semel reviewed 903 stories and 77 videos containing Russini’s byline, contributor credit or references to her reporting. He also examined 204 episodes of a podcast she co-hosted, along with appearances on other media outlets where she represented The Athletic.
The review included interviews with Athletic employees. However, according to a source with direct knowledge of the investigation, Russini was not interviewed. The source also said the company did not have access to her phone, meaning the review focused on publicly available work and testimony from colleagues.
No Clear Evidence of Bias in NFL Coverage
Despite finding a serious conflict-of-interest violation, the report did not establish that Russini used her platform to promote Vrabel or assist his teams.
“I’ve not found a clear link to conclude that Russini used her platform to help promote Vrabel or help his teams during her time at The Athletic,” Semel wrote. He added that some of her favorable descriptions of Vrabel now appeared “awkward or even uncomfortable” in light of their relationship.
The report said most of Russini’s work had little connection to Vrabel, the teams he coached or players those teams were pursuing. Editors and reporters who worked closely with Russini described her as being well-sourced throughout the NFL, rather than relying primarily on Vrabel or the Patriots.
Still, Semel acknowledged that the circumstances surrounding the relationship weakened readers’ confidence in Russini’s impartiality. The review found no reporting inaccuracies, although it identified one 2023 story in which Russini reported that Vrabel’s coaching job with the Tennessee Titans was safe. Vrabel was fired less than two months later.
The report noted that Russini’s assessment was stronger than that of other media outlets at the time. However, investigators said the story was accurate based on the information available when it was published, and they could not prove whether Russini had spoken with Titans sources.
What Happens After the Standards Breach?
Semel recommended adding editor’s notes to four pieces of Athletic content, including three lighthearted videos and one column in which information was not properly attributed.
The investigation also criticized the appearance of a potential conflict, even though it did not conclude that Russini deliberately compromised her reporting. Russini wrote in her resignation letter that she had covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication and stood behind every story she had published.
The Athletic’s executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, initially defended Russini after the photographs became public, saying the situation had been taken out of context. Later, he told staff that additional information had raised new questions and led to a broader investigation.
Vrabel, now preparing for the Patriots’ season, declined to offer a detailed reaction to the findings. “I’ve moved on and [am] excited about this new opportunity here as we start this season,” he said Thursday.
The Athletic concluded the report with recommendations aimed at preventing similar disputes. Those measures include meeting with the standards editor during the onboarding process for new employees and enforcing conflict-of-interest and sourcing policies more aggressively.
- Reporters should disclose personal relationships that could affect public confidence.
- Editors should be involved when anonymous sources or potential conflicts arise.
- News organizations must protect both accuracy and the appearance of impartiality.
The case underscores the growing pressure on modern sports media organizations to maintain transparency. Even when no clear bias or factual errors are found, undisclosed relationships can damage trust among readers, colleagues and the athletes or teams being covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did The Athletic’s investigation find?
The investigation found that Dianna Russini’s relationship with Mike Vrabel violated The Athletic’s newsroom standards because it should have been disclosed.
Did investigators find that Russini’s reporting was biased?
No. The report found no clear evidence that Russini used her platform to promote Vrabel or assist the New England Patriots. It also found no reporting inaccuracies.
How extensive was the review?
Mike Semel reviewed 903 stories, 77 videos, 204 podcast episodes and several media appearances connected to Russini’s work.
What did Mike Vrabel say?
Vrabel said he had moved on and was excited about his new opportunity with the Patriots as the season approached.
