NFL reporter Dianna Russini is returning to sports media with a weekly show and a podcast role, seven months after leaving The Athletic amid scrutiny over photos of her with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The Russini Report will debut Wednesday, Nov. 11, at noon EST on BetUS TV’s website and X account. The one-hour show will air weekly, and Russini will write an accompanying column.
Russini said the program will include NFL reporting and more of her own opinions than she had offered in previous roles. She will also become a featured contributor on Nobody’s Safe, the podcast with sports radio host Jon Weiner, better known as Stugotz. Russini credited Weiner with publicly supporting her during the fallout and encouraging her to enjoy her work again.
Russini said Weiner told her, “‘I need my friend to laugh again. And I want to help her laugh again.' I think this show is going to give me that opportunity.” Russini, who previously worked at ESPN, resigned from her role as a senior NFL insider for The Athletic in April after photos showed her and Vrabel embracing and holding hands at an Arizona hotel. Both denied impropriety and said their relationship was professional.
A September internal review by The Athletic found the relationship created the appearance of a conflict of interest and violated the publication’s standards. Russini told People that NFL owners, agents, general managers, coaches and players stayed in contact while she was away from reporting. She described their encouragement as a reason she felt ready to return.
The experience also changed how she thinks about covering other people and the effect a story can have beyond its subject.
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