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Athletic executive editor admits mistake in handling of Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal in meeting with staff

athletic-executive-editor-admits-mistake-in-handling-of-dianna-russini-mike-vrabel-scandal-in-meeting-with-staff
Athletic executive editor admits mistake in handling of Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal in meeting with staff

Steven Ginsberg, the executive editor at The Athletic, addressed the public scandal involving Dianna Russini, a former NFL insider at the New York Times-owned company, and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, in an all-hands meeting lasting about 10 minutes on Wednesday, according to Front Office Sports.

In a statement that he prepared, Ginsberg explained that communication could have been clearer with his staff — and that the ongoing investigation by The Athletic‘s editorial director for standards and editorial quality Mike Semel, is expected to be lengthy. 

It was the first general all-hands meeting with The Athletic’s staff since Page Six broke the story and published photos on April 7 showing Vrabel and Russini, who are both married to other people, holding hands while at a resort in Arizona last month.

Dianna Russini attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on February 7, 2026 in San Francisco, California.

Dianna Russini attends the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party on February 7, 2026 in San Francisco, California. Getty Images for Fanatics

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during an NFL football press conference, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks during an NFL football press conference, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. AP

Ginsberg reportedly did not take questions during the all-hands meeting, but said that he is available to his staff.

Russini resigned on April 14.

Patriots coach, Mike Vrabel, and NFL reporter Dianna Russini at Ambiente Sedona hotel in Arizona on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Patriots coach, Mike Vrabel, and NFL reporter Dianna Russini at Ambiente Sedona hotel in Arizona on Saturday, March 28, 2026. © Page Six

Vrabel — who addressed reporters before the 2026 NFL Draft, saying he had difficult conversations with his family — sought counseling during draft weekend.

A spokesperson for The Athletic declined to comment.

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