Dianna Russini hires crisis PR after Mike Vrabel scandal

Dianna Russini has hired crisis publicist Melissa Nathan to help her move past the Mike Vrabel controversy, Page Six reported Thursday.

Nathan has represented Logan Paul, Johnny Depp and Justin Baldoni, and is currently in litigation with rival publicist Stephanie Jones over allegations that she orchestrated online smear campaigns during the Baldoni and Blake Lively "It Ends With Us" saga. Nathan has denied any wrongdoing.

A source told Page Six that the people involved in the Vrabel situation have moved on, but the mainstream media has not, and it was time for Russini to seek outside help to rebuild her career.

Russini, who is represented by CAA, resigned from The Athletic in April after an internal investigation into her relationship with Vrabel. The Athletic determined her personal connection to the New England Patriots head coach violated its newsroom standards because it was not disclosed, but found that her reporting had not been compromised.

Page Six published images of Russini and Vrabel holding hands at an Arizona resort in late March. Both downplayed the photos at the time. Vrabel called it a "completely innocent interaction" and said "any suggestion otherwise is laughable."

The outlet also reported earlier on a 2020 outing at a New York City bar where an eyewitness saw them kissing. Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 51, are both married to other people.

Vrabel took accountability for his actions and the distractions he caused, and left the Patriots during the 2026 NFL Draft to seek counseling. Russini has not publicly addressed the situation.

Page Six reported last month that Russini was weighing several options for her next job, with no decision expected before Week 1 of the NFL season. Her future remains unclear, but not for lack of interest, a source said.

• crisis PR
• Dianna Russini
• Melissa Nathan
• Mike Vrabel
• New England Patriots
• The Athletic