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The top editor at The Athletic addressed the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel saga in the first general all-hands meeting with the outlet’s staff since the story broke, Front Office Sports has learned.
On Wednesday, executive editor Steven Ginsberg read a statement that he prepared lasting about 10 minutes, in which he acknowledged that communications could have been more clear. He said that a previously-reported investigation into the matter, led by The Athletic‘s editorial director for standards and editorial quality Mike Semel, is ongoing and expected to be lengthy. Ginsberg did not take questions from staff during the all-hands, but said that he is available for direct contact, sources said.
A spokesperson for The Athletic declined to comment.
Earlier this month, the New York Post published now-infamous photos of Russini and Vrabel together at an adults-only resort in Arizona. Russini and Vrabel—who are both married to other people—each issued statements indicating that, despite the awkward appearances, their relationship was platonic.
At the time, Ginsberg told the Post, “These photos are misleading and lack essential context. These were public interactions in front of many people. Dianna is a premier journalist covering the NFL and we’re proud to have her at The Athletic.”
Later that week, FOS first reported that Russini was under investigation. She ultimately resigned on Apr. 14.
“Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now – before my current contract expires on June 30,” she wrote in her resignation letter to Ginsberg. “I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refused to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”
Ginsberg addressed Russini’s resignation in a note to staff.
“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,” he wrote, in part. “As additional information emerged, new questions were raised that became part of our investigation.”
Vrabel, meanwhile, acknowledged to reporters last week that he was going through a “personal and private matter.” The reigning AP NFL Coach of the Year later opted to miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft on Saturday to begin counseling.
