New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft tried to nip the drama involving head coach Mike Vrabel and NFL insider Dianna Russini in the bud, according to a report.
On Sunday night, In Touch dropped a bombshell claiming that Kraft had put pressure on the New York Post to not publish photographs showing Vrabel and Russini holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort.
“Robert Kraft intervened and had his honchos pressure The Post before they published and tried to kill the story,” a source reportedly told In Touch. “The Post gave Vrabel a longer time to respond than what is considered industry norms, and Kraft took advantage of that extended timeframe to put pressure on the reporter and the newspaper.
“A notorious crisis strategist made the call but was unsuccessful in neutering the story.”
On Friday, ESPN’s Ben Strauss reported that Russini had promptly contacted a “crisis communications expert” after the situation blew up two weeks ago.
Strauss reported that “Russini, Vrabel and executives from The Athletic, which is owned by the New York Times, scrambled to respond” to the photos and that the Post “was open to changing the tone of the story or possibly not running it if Russini and Vrabel could provide compelling evidence to back up their statements that they had each been on a trip with friends.”
Russini resigned from her job with The Athletic just days after the outlet launched an internal investigation into the reporter’s conduct following the publication of photos of her with Vrabel at an Arizona resort.
Russini announced her departure from the outlet, via a letter to The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg which was obtained by the Associated Press on Tuesday afternoon.
What did Russini say in her resignation?
Russini had become embroiled in controversy last week when Page Six published photos of her hugging and holding hands with the Patriots head coach.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published. When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism. For that I am grateful,” she wrote.
“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.
“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.
“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Why was Russini under investigation?
According to a report by the New York Times, “the nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel and her coverage are being reviewed and she will not be reporting while the investigation is underway.”
The Athletic’s editorial guidelines state that journalists are required to avoid any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict.
The outlet initially backed Russini, with Ginsberg saying in a statement to The Post that the photos were misleading and “lack essential context.”
“These were public interactions in front of many people,” he said. “Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
According to Strauss’ report, the NFL is not reviewing Vrabel’s actions.
Did Russini and Vrabel have an affair?
In photos posted by New York Post’s Page Six, the Patriots head coach and the reporter with The Athletic were seen “holding hands and hugging” in an intimate setting at a luxury hotel in Arizona.
In the photos, which reportedly were taken in March, Vrabel and Russini – who are both married to other people – were seen “hugging at sunset and weaving their fingers together as they (stood) face-to-face” before also briefly dancing together.
According to the outlet, the pair were spotted on a private rooftop area of the Ambiente hotel in Sedona, Ariz., which markets itself as a luxury adults-only getaway destination with scenic views of the Brins Mesa mountain range.
The area where they were photographed is reportedly only accessible from two-person bungalows that cost more than US$2,100 per evening.
While sources close to both Vrabel and Russini say they were at the hotel with other friends, the outlet originally reported that it had received claims from three separate eyewitnesses that Vrabel and Russini had not been seen with anyone else at the hotel.
What did Vrabel and Russini say about the claims?
Both Russini and Vrabel issued stern denials of any wrongdoing or that any sort of affair had taken place.
“These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable. This doesn’t deserve any further response,” Vrabel said in a statement.
“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day,” Russini told Page Six. “Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”
Who are their spouses?
Vrabel and his wife, Jen, have been married for more than 26 years and have two sons, according to reports.
Russini has been married to Kevin Goldschmidt, an executive at fast-food restaurant Shake Shack, since 2020. They also have two children together.
Russini had served as a senior NFL insider with The Athletic, but worked as a beat reporter for ESPN covering the Tennessee Titans during Vrabel’s tenure as head coach of the team.