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After photos of NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel together were released online, The Athletic is investigating the incident.
Dianna Russini Joked About Her Marriage “Falling Apart” Ahead of Mike Vrabel Photos
Dianna Russini is taking a time out.
After photos of the NFL reporter and New England Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel surfaced online, the news outlet is investigating the journalist, sources familiar with the situation at The Athletic told E! News.
The insiders shared that the New York Times-owned sports publication began an investigation into Russini immediately after Page Six published photos of her and Vrabel, with an initial review finding that the photos of the pair—both of whom are married—at a luxury resort in Arizona were taken in the presence of a larger friend group.
However, the sources noted that further investigation raised additional concerns, which are under review by the outlet. Additionally, Russini's past coverage at The Athletic is also being reviewed and she will not be doing any reporting amid the investigation.
E! News has reached out to reps for Russini and Vrabel for comment and has not heard back. The Athletic declined E! News' request for comment.
Photos of the journalist and the Patriots coach published on April 7, showed the pair dancing and holding hands on the rooftop of a Sedona, Ariz., hotel. In another photo, Vrabel and Russini were relaxing next to each other in a hot tub. Hours after the pics surfaced, they shared separate statements addressing speculations.
"These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable," Vrabel, 50,—dad to two sons with wife Jen Vrabel last year—said in an April 7 statement to Page Six. "This doesn't deserve any further response."
Meanwhile, Russini did share insight into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Amy Sussman/Getty Images/Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for SiriusXM
"The photos don't represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day," the 43-year-old—who shares two kids with Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt—said in a statement to E! News. "Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues."
For The Athletic's part, it initially defended its journalist, who joined the staff in 2023.
"These photos are misleading and lack essential context," The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg said in a statement to E! News April 7. "These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we're proud to have her at the Athletic."
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