NYT sidelines Dianna Russini amid internal investigation

The sports world erupted this week after the New York Post’s Page Six published photos that appear to show NFL insider Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel hugging and interlocking fingers at an adults-only resort in Arizona.

According to ESPN, The Athletic is now conducting an internal investigation into the nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel. The outlet initially came to her defense and said that the photos were taken out of context.

As more photos and coverage emerged, The Athletic decided to sideline Russini while they reinvestigate.

“New details from the Page Six report and information from the investigation raised additional concerns that are now being further reviewed. The investigation is ongoing,” a source told FOX.

“That process is expected to take time. She will not be reporting in the interim,” another source told ESPN.

The photos immediately went viral on social media, with fans across the country erupting in anger at both Russini and Vrabel. Shortly after the report, Vrabel responded to Page Six directly, dismissing the situation.

“These photos show a completely innocent interaction, and any suggestion otherwise is laughable,” Vrabel said. “This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

Russini also released a statement to the outlet.

“The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”

These comments only seemed to fuel the fire of the intense ongoing debate about ethics in journalism and the relationships between reporters and their sources.

Both Vrabel and Russini are married. She is currently away from The Athletic and its parent company, the New York Times, while they conduct their investigation.

James Parker contributed to this story.