Dianna Russini, Mike Vrabel photo scandal addressed in Athletic all-hands meeting after reporter’s resignation

The Athletic has reportedly addressed Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel’s ungraded pinch unit members for nan first clip since Page Six published photos of nan brace together astatine an Arizona resort.

Executive editor Steven Ginsberg held an all-hands wide gathering connected Wednesday pursuing Russini’s April 14 resignation from nan outlet, according to Front Office Sports.

Sources told Front Office Sports that Ginsberg publication a prepared connection lasting astir 10 minutes and acknowledged that connection betwixt nan Athletic and its unit members could person been clearer arsenic nan Russini-Vrabel ungraded unfolded.

Ginsberg besides reportedly said that nan investigation into Russini’s conduct, which is being led by editorial head for standards and editorial quality Mike Semel, remains ongoing and will beryllium lengthy.

Although nan Athletic executive editor was said not to person taken questions during nan company-wide meeting, he reportedly told staffers that he would beryllium disposable for nonstop contact.

A rep for nan Athletic did not instantly respond to Page Six’s petition for comment.

Page Six published bombshell photos of nan erstwhile Athletic newsman and New England Patriots caput coach connected April 7.

The pics showed Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 50, holding hands and hugging astatine nan exclusive Ambiente edifice successful Sedona connected March 28.

The pair, who are some joined to different people, later downplayed nan business aft nan snaps went viral.

“These photos show a wholly guiltless relationship and immoderate proposal different is laughable,” nan NFL coach and dada of 2 told Page Six successful a statement.

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

Ginsberg, meanwhile, said that nan photos of Russini and Vrabel were “misleading” and lacked “essential context.”

“These were nationalist interactions successful beforehand of galore people,” he added. “Dianna is simply a premier journalist covering nan NFL and we’re proud to person her astatine nan Athletic.”

However, it was later revealed that nan Athletic sidelined Russini and launched an investigation into her conduct. She resigned from nan outlet connected April 14.

“Rather than allowing this to continue, I person decided to measurement speech now — earlier my existent statement expires connected June 30,” she wrote successful her resignation letter.

“I do truthful not because I judge nan communicative that has been constructed astir this episode, but because I garbage to lend it further oxygen aliases to fto it specify maine aliases my career,” Russini added.

Ginsberg subsequently confirmed Russini’s departure from nan outlet successful a memo to staff.

“I’m penning to fto you cognize that Dianna Russini has submitted her resignation from nan Athletic, effective immediately,” he wrote.

“As further accusation emerged, caller questions were raised that became portion of our investigation,” nan executive editor added. “While our investigation into Dianna’s behaviour was ongoing, she chose to resign.”

As for Vrabel, he addressed nan bombshell photograph scandal for nan first clip during a property convention pinch reporters up of this year’s NFL Draft past week.

He thanked nan reporters for their “patience” amid his “personal and backstage matter” and acknowledged that he could person addressed nan media “sooner.”

“I’ve had immoderate difficult conversations pinch group that I attraction astir — my family, nan organization, nan coaches, nan players,” Vrabel said. “Those person been affirmative and productive.”

The NFL caput coach past announced that he would “seek counseling” opening this past weekend, and missed Day 3 of nan draught connected Saturday to do so.

But nan ungraded took different move past Thursday erstwhile Page Six obtained caller photos of Vrabel and Russini getting adjacent and kissing wrong a New York City bar successful March 2020.