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USA TODAY Cuts Ties With Crissy Froyd After Posts on Dianna Russini Controversy

The move signals tighter limits on public commentary during The Athletic’s ongoing review of Russini’s work.

Overview

  • USA TODAY Sports ended its contractor relationship with NFL writer Crissy Froyd on Thursday, saying her recent statements did not meet its standards for professionalism.
  • Following the announcement, Froyd doubled down on X and wrote that she stood by her remarks, adding, "I regret zero of what I said."
  • Froyd’s posts had cheered Dianna Russini’s resignation from The Athletic on Tuesday, a decision that followed Page Six publishing photos that showed Russini and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel hugging and holding hands at an Arizona resort.
  • Russini and Vrabel both denied any improper conduct, and The Athletic told staff it will continue a standards review of Russini’s work even after her resignation.
  • The fallout has widened into a debate over access-driven reporting and potential gender double standards in sports media, with commentary noting that similar behavior by male insiders often draws fewer consequences.