Overview
- Dianna Russini, a senior NFL reporter at The Athletic, was taken off reporting after The New York Times disclosed Saturday that the outlet is investigating her conduct and her coverage related to Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
- Page Six’s photos published Tuesday showed Russini and Vrabel holding hands, hugging and sitting side by side in a hot tub at an Arizona resort, and both denied wrongdoing while saying they were with a larger group.
- At the Patriots’ pre-draft news conference Monday, personnel chief Eliot Wolf said operations were “business as usual,” as Vrabel did not take questions and, per USA Today, was not scheduled to appear, with expectations he will speak during the draft.
- No team or league discipline for Vrabel has been announced, though recent plans have kept him out of the spotlight before the draft after ESPN reported he is not expected to address reporters until then.
- The Athletic’s rules require avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest, a standard now driving the review after the outlet first called the photos misleading and then pressed for verification of Russini’s claim that others were present.