Stunning reporter fired for controversial comments about ‘cheating’ ex-colleague

A sports reporter has refused to back down after she was fired for her comments about an ex-media colleague who is embroiled in a huge scandal over an alleged affair

A stunning American reporter has been firing for her controversial comments about her scandal-hit ex-colleague.

Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic, where she had worked as a senior NFL insider, after pictures of her holding hands with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and hugging him on the rooftop of a private bungalow at an Arizona resort in March were published. Vrabel and Russini, who are both married, have denied any inappropriate relationship or affair, but the scandal has gripped America.

After Russini’s resignation, Crissy Froyd, who works for USA Today Sports, shared on X: “I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way.”

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USA Today Sports announced it was ending its contractor relationship with Froyd, “effective immediately”. In a statement they added: “Her recent statements do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct.”

Speaking out her firing, Crissy didn’t back down: “I regret zero of what I said and stand beside it. If you want to talk, my messages are open. My email is operative, too. I feel I’ve been very transparent and did nothing wrong.

“Be bold and speak out. Will it make a martyr out of you? Maybe. But some things are worth it and some are not. This was.”

Speaking about the images, which were published by Page Six, Russini told the same outlet: “The photos don’t represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues.”

She added: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction. This doesn’t deserve any further response.”

Vrabel added in a separate statement: “These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable.”

An investigation has been launched by the New York Times, who own The Athletic, into the nature of the photos.

However, the NFL will not be investigating Vrabel for his conduct. It told ESPN the league will not be reviewing Vrabel’s behaviour, which would fall under its personal conduct policy and requires coaches to avoid “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League”.