Overview
- Inside the NBA’s “Gone Fishin’” graphic on Sunday depicted Mike Vrabel holding Dianna Russini in a Titanic pose, marking a rare on-air nod by an ESPN show to the photo scandal.
- Vrabel said in late April he would seek counseling, skipped Day 3 of the NFL Draft, and then returned to Patriots duties after the NFL said on April 21 it would not pursue a conduct case.
- Patriots figures have voiced support, with cornerback Christian Gonzalez calling Vrabel “my guy” and quarterback Drake Maye telling reporters the team is “here for him.”
- Russini resigned from The Athletic in April and has kept a low public profile, while radio host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner said he would hire her if she chooses to return to media.
- The saga began with Page Six publishing resort photos and later a 2020 bar image that appeared to show a kiss, fueling a newsroom standards review at The Athletic and highlighting unequal fallout for the reporter and the coach.