Is Dianna Russini making a comeback? Former NFL reporter sparks buzz with possible career comeback

Dianna Russini is preparing to return to sports journalism, seven months after leaving The Athletic following the controversy involving New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. The former NFL insider is reportedly getting ready to host her own show on a digital platform. According to sources who spoke to Page Six, the project is expected to launch next week and will include interviews with NFL players and coaches.

Her planned return comes after months away from the spotlight following the photo scandal that brought her career at The Athletic to an end.

What is Dianna Russini's new show about?

An industry source familiar with the deal told Page Six that Russini will be “headlining her own show, which is very, very exciting for her.” The source added that the programme will be available on a digital platform and is already close to launching.

“It’s going to be on a digital platform. It will be launching next week,” the insider said. “It’s been in the works for a while and she can’t wait to get back to what she loves.”

The source did not know how much Russini would earn from the new venture but claimed that people in the NFL and sports media industry had supported her return.

Another source told Page Six that the show would feature interviews with players and coaches. NBC Sports also reported that Russini had been informing people in the NFL about her plans to return to work. Before the new opportunity emerged, former ESPN colleague Jon “Stugotz” Wiener publicly offered her a place on his Fox Sports radio show, Stugotz and Company.

“If the Athletic gets rid of her, she’ll be sitting right next to me and Izzy doing the show,” he said on April 10.

He also defended his decision to support her, saying, “I support my friends, I don’t bail on my friends, especially at their worst professional time in their history. I don’t do that to them, OK?”

The Mike Vrabel controversy that ended her Athletic career

Dianna Russini worked at ESPN from 2015 to 2023 before joining The Athletic as its senior NFL insider. Her career there came under scrutiny after Page Six published photographs on April 7 showing her with Vrabel, 50, at the Ambiente resort in Sedona, Arizona, on March 28.

The pair were reportedly seen having breakfast, spending time near the pool and hot tub, and later holding hands and hugging at a private area of the resort. Both insisted they were there with friends and described the encounter as a “completely innocent interaction.”



Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14, saying she wanted to end the speculation and damage surrounding the situation. Vrabel later acknowledged having “difficult conversations” with his family. He also said he was seeking counseling.

Page Six subsequently published photographs showing Russini and Vrabel kissing at a New York City bar in March 2020. Vrabel was married to Jen at the time, while Russini married Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt six months later. Both have two children with their respective partners.