Dave Portnoy weighs in on bombshell photos of Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini

Dave Portnoy is speculating that “something beyond a relationship was happening” erstwhile New England Patriots caput coach Mike Vrabel and New York Times NFL newsman Dianna Russini were photographed together astatine an Arizona edifice past month.

Vrabel, 50, said nan pictures of him and Russini showed a “completely guiltless interaction” and that “any proposal different is laughable” successful a connection to Page Six aft we obtained nan photos connected April 7.

Russini, 43, told america “the photos don’t correspond nan group of six group who were hanging retired during nan day” and “like astir journalists successful nan NFL, reporters interact pinch sources distant from stadiums and different venues.”

The Barstool Sports laminitis weighed successful connected nan bombshell photos and the aftermath of their release during Monday’s section of his “Wake Up Barstool” sports talk show.

Portnoy, who does not declare to person insider knowledge, expressed his skepticism of nan denials. “They’re some joined pinch kids. So, successful that respect, very sad story,” Portnoy, 49, began.

Vrabel and his woman of 26 years, Jen, stock sons Tyler and Carter. Russini and her husband of astir six years, Shake Shack exec Kevin Goldschmid, besides person 2 kids.

Portnoy continued, “Vrabel, this is wholly a individual issue, right? Like, if he’s cheating, not cheating, this doesn’t impact your job. This has thing to do pinch your occupation arsenic a shot coach.”

But Portnoy based on that nan matter is much “dicey” for Russini, who was sidelined by nan Times after Page Six published photos of her and Vrabel holding hands and hugging astatine nan Ambiente successful Sedona connected March 28.

“I’m judge location they opportunity you cannot transverse nan statement pinch your sources,” he speculated. “You can’t go friendly because past possibly you dainty them differently.”

However, Portnoy besides based on that nan Athletic newsman shouldn’t “lose her job” even if inappropriate behaviour is confirmed.

“So possibly she crossed a activity line, which will origin her to beryllium terminated. Now she’s not dealing pinch atomic codes. She’s not dealing pinch politicians. It’s football,” he explained.

“So should you suffer your occupation for becoming friendly pinch a coach?” Portnoy wondered. “I astir apt don’t deliberation so.”

Portnoy didn’t bargain nan pair’s alleged “excuses,” arguing they “probably weren’t nan champion move from them from a PR perspective.”

“This excuse that they some had, which is nan aforesaid excuse that, ‘Hey, we’re pinch a group of people, and it’s not shown.’ It’s rather peculiar astatine this constituent that nary of these expected friends person stepped guardant and said, ‘Yeah, we were pinch them. Here’s proof. We’re pinch them,'” Portnoy noted.

“So, I deliberation it’s beautiful evident that possibly thing beyond a relationship was happening here,” he speculated.

Sources said the Athletic, nan salient integer sports outlet that nan Times obtained for $550 cardinal successful 2022, launched an investigation into nan photos of Vrabel and Russini past week.

“After Page Six reached retired to Dianna for comment, the Athletic immediately began an investigation,” an insider acquainted pinch nan probe told america connected Friday. 

The source added the Athletic was investigating nan business and “reviewing [Russini’s] coverage,” and that Russini wouldn’t beryllium reporting for nan outlet while nan probe was underway.

“While nan evident behaviour successful nan photos raised questions for [the Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg] and activity astatine nan Athletic, an first reappraisal suggested nan images provided lacked context, specifically nan beingness of a larger group of friends,” nan insider continued.

But “new specifications from nan Page Six study and accusation from nan investigation raised further concerns that are now being reviewed further,” they added. “The investigation is ongoing.”

The Athletic declined to comment.