Dianna Russini Makes Major Move As She Plots Her NFL Comeback
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Dianna Russini has reportedly brought in crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan to help get her NFL reporting career back on track after the scandal with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Russini, who used to work for The Athletic, has stayed low since leaving the company in April, but it looks like she is finally getting ready to make a comeback.
According to Page Six, Russini hired Nathan to help handle all the mess from the situation. Nathan has worked with big names like Johnny Depp, Justin Baldoni, and Logan Paul, so she knows how to handle high-profile drama as Russini figures out her next steps.
The drama started when photos popped up of Russini and Vrabel together at an adults-only resort in Arizona. Both insisted nothing happened, but then more pictures came out, including shots that appeared to show them kissing at a New York bar back in March 2020. Both are married with kids.
Dianna Russini Eyes NFL Reporting Comeback After Scandal
Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14, shortly after the photos sparked widespread speculation about her relationship with Vrabel. She also said the growing media attention had made it difficult for the outlet to complete its internal review.
In her resignation letter to The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg, Russini defended her work and rejected the narrative surrounding the controversy.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” she wrote.
Russini also thanked The Athletic for initially supporting her. However, she said repeated leaks and growing speculation had pushed the situation too far.
“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,” she added.
According to Page Six, Russini has started considering offers to return to NFL coverage. She also wants to share her side of the story, but she reportedly plans to do so on her own terms. Last month, the outlet reported that she had turned down several interview requests.
Nathan brings her own share of controversy to the situation. Another publicist, Stephanie Jones, took legal action against her, claiming Nathan ran online smear campaigns tied to the movie It Ends With Us. Nathan has insisted she didn’t do anything wrong.
Meanwhile, Vrabel is still the head coach of the Patriots. He apologized for what happened right before the NFL Draft and even skipped the last day of it to go to counseling, but he never actually admitted to having an affair.
Russini has yet to publicly confirm her reported work with Nathan.
