NFL reporter under investigation after being pictured holding hands with married Patriots coach Mike Vrabel

The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini is under investigation by the publication after photos emerged last week of her holding hands and hugging New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel at a luxury resort in Arizona. Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50 — who are both married — shared statements denying any wrongdoing hours after the images were published by Page Six . The photos were reportedly taken at the Ambiente hotel in Sedona on March 28.

On Saturday, The New York Times , which acquired The Athletic as its sports outlet in 2022 , confirmed that the nature of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel and her coverage were being reviewed. She will not be reporting while the investigation is underway. The Athletic ’s editorial guidelines require that their journalists avoid any activities that pose a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict, so as not to call into question their credibility, The Times added.

The Independent has contacted Russini for comment. Dianna Russini is under investigation by ‘The Athletic’ and will not be reporting in the meantime, the publication confirmed (Getty) Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and Russini were photographed holding hands and hugging at an Arizona resort last month (Getty) “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues,” Russini said in a statement to Page Six in response to its report.

Russini shares two children with her husband, Shake Shack executive Kevin Goldschmidt. A source close to the former ESPN anchor told Page Six she was staying at the hotel during a hiking trip with two female friends. Steven Ginsberg, executive editor of The Athletic , also stood by his reporter, telling Page Six : “These photos are misleading and lack essential context.