The Athletic's executive editor, Steven Ginsberg, acknowledged mistakes in handling the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel controversy, stating that communications could have been clearer. An ongoing investigation into the matter is being led by the outlet's editorial director.
Key points
Steven Ginsberg admitted mistakes in handling the controversy
Communications could have been clearer
An investigation is ongoing
Mike Semel is leading the investigation
Mentioned in this story
The AthleticSteven GinsbergDianna RussiniMike VrabelMike Semel
There were many mistakes made in the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini scandal, and an editor at The Athletic admitted things could have been handled better by the company.
Executive editor of The Athletic, Steven Ginsberg, admitted in a statement during a meeting with his staff that âcommunications could have been more clear,â Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reports.
âThe top editor at The Athletic addressed the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel saga in the first general all-hands meeting with the outletâs staff since the story broke, Front Office Sports has learned,â Glasspiegel wrote.
âOn Wednesday, executive editor Steven Ginsberg read a statement that he prepared lasting about 10 minutes, in which he acknowledged that communications could have been more clear,â Glasspiegel added.
Ginsburg went on to tell staff that the investigation into the matter, which is led by the outletâs editorial director for standards and editorial quality, Mike Semel, continues and figures to be âlengthy.â
What went wrong
Dianna Russini
Dianna Russini
In the wake of Page Six publishing photos that showed the now-former NFL reporter for The Athletic and the New England Patriots head coach â both of whom are married â together at an affluent resort in Arizona, which led to accusations of an affair and clear conflict of interest, Ginsberg immediately backed Russini in a public statement.
âThese photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and weâre proud to have her at The Athletic,â Ginsberg told the New York Post.
Initially, Russini and Vrabel both denied any wrongdoing.
Of course, Ginsbergâs statement did not age well, especially after more photos came to light that showed in a New York bar six years earlier, which confirmed there was indeed an affair going on that stretched back years.
Q&A
What did Steven Ginsberg say about the Dianna Russini controversy?
Steven Ginsberg admitted that communications regarding the controversy could have been clearer during a staff meeting.
Who is leading the investigation into the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal?
The investigation is being led by Mike Semel, The Athletic's editorial director for standards and editorial quality.
What mistakes were made in the handling of the Dianna Russini scandal?
Mistakes included unclear communications and a lack of effective management of the situation by The Athletic.
How long is the investigation into the Dianna Russini controversy expected to take?
The investigation is expected to be lengthy, as stated by Steven Ginsberg.
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Before those photos came to light, Ginsberg made the following statement after more details emerged that hinted there was no evidence the pair was with other people.
âWhen this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter,â Ginsberg wrote. âAs additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.â
The Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini fallout
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel
The fallout has been significant for both Russini and Vrabel.
While she has not admitted to an affair with Vrabel, Russini ended up resigning anyway and expressed appreciation for The Athleticâs initial backing of her in her letter to Ginsberg.
âRather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now â before my current contract expires on June 30,â she wrote. âI do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refused to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.â
Meanwhile, Vrabel has since addressed the media on multiple occasions and has basically admitted to wrongdoing.
âI understand that there are questions. I take accountability for my actions, and the actions that caused a distraction to the people that I care most about â my family, this football team, the organization and our fans,â Vrabel stated. âMy previous actions donât meet the standard that I hold myself to. They donât.â
Vrabel later went on to say that he intends to seek counseling, and he began doing that on the third day of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Vrabel reportedly returned to work on Monday. He is not slated to speak to the media again until late next month.