Dianna Russini Urged To 'Own It' In Second Act Of Her Career

It's been a month since NFL insider Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic amid a scandal involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. But while The Athletic may not want her back, other outlets might give her a shot and she could always go independent as well.

But what do other members of sports media think about Russini's seemingly inevitable return to the media sphere? John Mamola of Barrett Media interviewed several people such as WFAN's Brandon Tierney and Bill Reiter of 97.1 The Fan in LA to get their perspective.

Tierney bluntly recommended that Russini needs to "own it" and start repairing the relationships she has in her personal life first and foremost. He suggested an interview with someone that she truly trusts and just own up to everything that people want answers to then "disappear for a while" before coming back on her own platform and starting from scratch.

"Own it," Tierney said. "Repair what needs to be repaired at home, if possible. That should be her primary focus. Then, do one interview with someone you trust and truly own it...

"Disappear for a while. Then, return on your own platform and start over."

Reiter advised a different path: Moving away from sports and trying to build a new audience in a new field. He pointed out that sports fans have "long memories" and she simply won't be welcome in sports spaces for a long while.

"I'd tell her to pivot away from sports, at least for now," Reiter said . "Fans and sports media have long memories. The frenzy around her - fair or otherwise - will likely be her new reality for the foreseeable future.

"It would certainly mean another group of fans, listeners, critics, observers, and coverage," said Reiter. "It wouldn't be anonymity, of course, or a shield from this story. At least it would be somewhere new to try something new."

Back like nothing happened?

Other sports media figures on other platforms have pointed out that they'd have no problem hiring Russini. Stugotz of The Dan Le Batard Show said as much amid the initial scandal in April.

"I did say if The Athletic fired her, I would hire her. They didn't fire her. She stepped down from The Athletic, and the offer holds forever. If Dianna Russini decides one day. Three months from now, or a year from now. Two years from now that she wants to get back into this game, she has a place right here," Stugotz said.

Other figures have similarly said that they'd have no problem welcoming Russini back into the fold.

Simply put, as much as fans might be chomping at the bit to make fun of her, there are avenues for her to return to the field in highly-coveted roles sooner rather than later.

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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 1:51 PM.