Dianna Russini has not made a public statement since announcing her resignation from The Athletic in April, following a series of leaks that showed her spending time privately with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
Perhaps most bizarrely, TMZ reported that it had obtained records from a private boating trip involving the two six years earlier, months before the former NFL reporter gave birth to her first child.
According to the New York Post, Russini is now seeking a return to the media. She recently hired crisis publicist Melissa Nathan to help her “navigate past the Mike Vrabel scandal.”
One could argue that Nathan’s first piece of advice should have been not to leak that Russini hired a crisis publicist.
Dianna Russini, left, and Mike Vrabel, right, are shown in a split composite image featuring Russini with an ESPN microphone and Vrabel on the Titans sideline wearing a headset. (Imagn Images)
On the surface, we are skeptical that any serious journalism outlet would hire Russini as an NFL reporter, a position she held for more than two decades. Rumors shape perception, and perception often becomes reality. The perception surrounding Russini is that she obtained information unethically because of an inappropriate relationship with Vrabel, romantic or otherwise.
Any significant story she breaks would invite questions about how she obtained the information. The controversy could also make sources more reluctant to provide her with sensitive information.
That said, Russini did not hurt anyone. At worst, she violated a basic journalistic ethical standard by failing to disclose a close personal relationship with an NFL coach she covered professionally.
Her entire career does not deserve to end because of that. She may simply have to transition into a different role.
Fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry told OutKick in August that he would “consider” signing Russini as an analyst for his media company, Fantasy Life. Dave Portnoy has also expressed interest in bringing her to Barstool Sports as a personality.
MATTHEW BERRY HAS HAD TALKS WITH ESPN ABOUT A RETURN, FOLLOWING PAT MCAFEE MODEL
There could be other suitors, depending on the price.
ESPN reporter Dianna Russini looks on during the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sept. 16, 2018. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)
The larger question is how much interest Russini could sustain as a personality. There would undoubtedly be initial curiosity. Nearly every sports and culture website would aggregate whatever she said about the photos and reports involving Vrabel. But that curiosity has a shelf life.
Is she funny, engaging, and entertaining enough to become a star in the podcast space? Recent history suggests that such a transition is hardly automatic.
The migration from traditional sports media to independent digital ventures has produced decidedly mixed results.
Matthew Berry, Shannon Sharpe, Jason Whitlock, and Josh Pate have built substantial audiences and businesses outside the traditional sports-media structure. Others, including Skip Bayless, Bomani Jones, and Cari Champion, have struggled to replicate the relevance they enjoyed in more prominent roles.
Russini also faces an obstacle they did not. None of them had to reinvent themselves after allegations that called into question the nature of their relationship with a prominent football coach.
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The photos of Russini and Vrabel alone together at a private, adults-only resort loom over any attempted comeback and stay in the media.