Dianna Russini’s return to the NFL insider reporting game was scripted and breathlessly announced on Monday afternoon in advance of The Russini Report, which debuts on BetUS on Wednesday.
BetUS, the original and controversial online sportsbook, has hired Russini to be the BetUS official NFL analyst. She will host a weekly live show, write columns covering NFL new and discussing upcoming game matchups, and play host to guest interviews.
The first show is scheduled for noon ET on Wednesday and is scheduled to feature former New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots coach Bill Parcells.
DIANNA RUSSINI RESIGNS FROM THE ATHLETIC AMID MIKE VRABEL CONTROVERSY
But regardless of what guest Russini has first, the thing that matters most on that first show is clear: She must address and answer the uncomfortable questions about her relationship with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
Simply, Russini must address the persistent rumors – founded or unfounded — that she and Vrabel had a romantic relationship that affected their professional one.
Russini has never taken on that topic headlong and unequivocally since she resigned from her job at The Athletic in April following the Page Six publication of photographs of her and New England Patriots coach on the roof of a Sedona, Arizona bungalow holding hands and embracing.
Page Six also published photos of the reporter and coach, both married to other people, spending time together by a pool and in a hot tub.
A review by The Athletic later found that the relationship violated its standards and should have been disclosed, but made no conclusion about the relationship’s romantic nature and “scant evidence” that it affected Russini’s reporting, although editors added notes to four stories or videos outlining Russini’s and Vrabel’s relationship.
So what everyone wants in episode one of the Russini Report is her account of her relationship with Vrabel, what they were doing on the roof of that bungalow, and why they were seen alone together there.
The entire saga had a harmful effect on Russini’s professional credibility and reputation, but she is part of a campaign to rehabilitate that now.
Russini agreed to an interview with People Magazine, published Monday as part of the kickoff to her return to public life. Russini did not address the question about her relationship with Vrabel directly.
She said in the interview that her husband, Kevin Goldschmidt, supported her through what she called the “heartbreaking” matter that led to her career change.
“The best way to describe what the last six months were like for me is heartbreaking,” Russini told the magazine. “At the beginning of this, it was a nightmare.”
Russini said that during her time away from the spotlight, NFL sources offered her support.
“The absolute best part of this situation has been the loyalty the NFL has shown me,” Russini said. “They checked in with me almost daily while I wasn’t working to make sure that I was staying connected to football, to check on me as a person and to just see how I was doing.”
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BetUS provided OutKick and Fox News Digital a release about its new Russini show and also an opportunity to speak with Russini and Andres Vargas, the company’s head of content.
BetUS is an offshore online sportsbook and casino that accepts sports wagers, casino bets and other gambling transactions. Michigan regulators identify it as founded in 1994 and based in Costa Rica, while the company says it is licensed offshore. It is not licensed or authorized as a legal sportsbook in any U.S. state.
Because BetUS does not possess state-issued gambling licenses, state regulators in multiple states have issued cease-and-desist orders demanding BetUS stop serving their residents.
