The published pictures of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and well-known US reporter Dianna Russini have now led to the first consequences.

Exclusive photos from “Page Six” have been making the rounds in the NFL world over the past few days. They show the head coach of the New England Patriots and the long-time NFL reporter together in a hotel in Arizona.

In addition, eyewitnesses are said to have seen the two dancing on the private roof terrace of one of the hotel bungalows. According to reports from “Page Six”, there are now consequences for the sports reporter.

No article by the journalist has appeared since the pictures were published. An insider now claims that Russini’s reporting is currently being reviewed. “This process is expected to take some time. In the meantime, she will not be publishing any reports,“ the medium quotes.

At the request of ”Page Six“, ”The Athletic” did not want to comment on the internal investigations. According to “Front Office Sports”, Russini’s contract with the sports media company runs until August. The 43-year-old and her advisor declined to comment on the matter.

NFL: Internal investigation against reporter

“These photos show a completely harmless encounter, and any suggestion that it was otherwise is ridiculous,” Vrabel, who took over as head coach of the Patriots in January 2025, told Page Six after the images were published.

Russini herself emphasized that it is normal for journalists and reporters to meet with their sources outside the stadium. She explained that the two were not alone in the hotel, but together with a group of six.

And the editor-in-chief of “The Athletic”, Steven Ginsberg, also published a statement in which he defended the media company’s senior NFL insider: “These photos are misleading and ignore important context. “

”The Athletic,“ a once-independent website that was acquired by the ”New York Times,“ is reportedly pushing for proof of Russini’s claim behind closed doors, however, according to reports from ”Front Office Sports.”

Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini: conflict of interest?

Dianna Russini has been one of the best-known sports reporters in the NFL at the latest since her move to “ESPN” in 2015. “The Athletic” also sees itself as a reputable source.

Whether and to what extent personal relationships between journalists and high-ranking officials should be tolerated is a hotly debated topic in the USA. Whether platonic or romantic, the relationship between the two seems too close for many.

It remains to be seen whether “The Athletic” will come to the same conclusion in its internal investigation. But while Russini’s career is on the line, it is clear that she is the only one who will have to answer for this scandal. There are currently no consequences for Vrabel.

Written by Thomas Maier