DIANNA RUSSINI HIRES PUBLICIST AHEAD OF MEDIA RETURN

Dianna Russini has hired crisis publicist Melissa Nathan as she prepares to return to sports media, according to a report by Lucas Widman of the New York Post. The report said the move is intended to help Russini navigate the fallout from a story involving New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. Widman wrote that Russini believes she needs outside help to revamp her career. The move follows an earlier report, cited by NBC Sports, which said Russini "absolutely" planned to return to sports media with her next move coming "sooner than later." More than five weeks have passed since that report with no confirmed move, according to NBC Sports.

Russini previously resigned from her position at The Athletic, according to EssentiallySports, after her personal life became the subject of widespread coverage during the offseason. Sportskeeda reported that there had been "radio silence" about her professional future since the controversy involving Vrabel broke. NBC Sports said a separate, unverified story about Russini calling a coach on FaceTime to avoid a ticket for texting while driving had also circulated, though it reported that the story was not true. NBC Sports said the combined effect of these stories could make a return to reporting difficult for Russini.

NBC Sports said the hiring of a crisis publicist suggests Russini may have had a job offer that she has not yet accepted, or that no acceptable offer has yet emerged. The outlet said Nathan's involvement could be aimed at helping secure new opportunities for Russini, potentially including a podcast. No further announcements regarding Russini's next role had been confirmed at the time of reporting.