Dianna Russini’s boss releases statement after her resignation over Mike Vrabel photos — and admits ‘new questions were raised’

Dianna Russini’s top boss at the Athletic, Steven Ginsberg, has released a statement following the reporter’s bombshell resignation from the outlet on Tuesday.

“I’m writing to let you know that Dianna Russini has submitted her resignation from The Athletic, effective immediately,” Ginsberg wrote in a statement obtained by Page Six.

He continued, “While I can’t share the details of our investigation into Dianna’s conduct, I want to emphasize that the leadership at The Athletic has taken this matter seriously from the moment that we learned about it.”

Ginsberg went on to write that the Athletic’s coverage is “deeply rooted in integrity and our commitment to earning the trust of our audience.”

He also noted that the outlet’s newsroom has “thrived” because of its “core journalistic values,” and the Athletic “will always ensure they are protected.”

He continued, “When this situation was brought to our attention last week, there were clear concerns, but we received a detailed explanation and it was our instinct to support and defend a colleague while we continued to review the matter.”

But as “additional information emerged,” Ginsberg wrote, “new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”

The executive editor acknowledged that Russini “chose to resign” as the Athletic’s probe into her “conduct” was “ongoing” and that the outlet “will continue a standards review of Dianna’s work that [the Athletic editorial director for standards and editorial quality] Mike Semel is leading.”

Ginsberg concluded his statement, “Amid all of this, I want to sincerely thank everyone for continuing to produce the best sports report in the business. I’m looking forward to focusing on journalism and continuing our momentum.”

Russini, 43, announced her resignation from the prominent digital sports outlet days after Page Six obtained photos of her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, 50, together at an Arizona resort last month.

The veteran NFL reporter announced her resignation in a letter to Ginsberg on Tuesday afternoon.

“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” Russini’s letter, also obtained by Page Six, read.

“When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism,” the married mom of two continued. “For that I am grateful.”

But “in the days that followed,” Russini continued, “commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.”

The sports journalist, who served as the Athletic’s senior NFL insider, then said she chose to resign to stop the speculation and damage surrounding the situation.

“Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete,” she wrote. “It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept.”

Russini continued, “Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

Page Six exclusively obtained the bombshell photos of Russini and Vrabel on April 7.

They showed the pair holding hands and hugging at the Ambiente in Sedona on March 28.

The Athletic, which the New York Times obtained in 2022, sidelined Russini and launched an investigation into the matter after the photos surfaced.

Russini, meanwhile, told us last week that “the photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day” and “like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”

As for Vrabel, the married dad of two said the pics of him and Russini showed a “completely innocent interaction” and that “any suggestion otherwise is laughable” in a statement to Page Six last week.