Dianna Russini is making a push toward an NFL return, and she’s brought in a high-profile crisis PR expert to help steer the way.
According to Page Six, Russini has hired Melissa Nathan as she looks to repair the fallout from the controversy involving Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. Nathan has handled public messes for names including Johnny Depp, Justin Baldoni and Logan Paul, and now she’s reportedly advising Russini as she considers her next move.
Russini, formerly of The Athletic, has kept a low profile since leaving the outlet in April. The scandal around her and Vrabel escalated after photos surfaced showing the two at an adults-only resort in Arizona.
Both denied anything happened. Later, more images emerged, including ones that appeared to show them kissing at a New York bar in March 2020.
Russini and Vrabel are both married with children.
On April 14, Russini resigned from The Athletic after the photos triggered widespread speculation. She said the attention made it difficult for the outlet to finish its internal review. In her resignation letter to executive editor Steven Ginsberg, she pushed back strongly on the story being built around her.
“I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published,” she wrote.
She also thanked The Athletic for initially standing by her, but said the leaks and speculation had gone too far.
“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,” she added.
Now, Page Six reports that Russini has begun weighing offers to get back into NFL coverage. She also wants to tell her side of the story, though the plan is to do that on her own terms. The outlet previously reported that she had declined multiple interview requests last month.
Nathan’s involvement brings its own layer of controversy. Publicist Stephanie Jones has taken legal action against her, accusing Nathan of running online smear campaigns connected to the film It Ends With Us. Nathan has denied wrongdoing.
Vrabel remains the Patriots’ head coach. He apologized before the NFL Draft and skipped the final day of it to attend counseling, but he did not admit to having an affair.
Russini has not publicly confirmed that she is working with Nathan.
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