Dianna Russini makes major career move with Melissa Nathan as Barstool Sports emerges as a possible landing spot
Dianna Russini has taken a new step toward returning to sports media after leaving The Athletic in April 2026. On April 7, 2026, Page Six published photographs showing the two together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona. She spent years covering the NFL and joined ESPN in 2015, first working as a SportsCenter anchor before becoming a familiar face in NFL coverage. In August 2023, she moved to The Athletic as its senior lead NFL reporter. Whether Russini returns during the 2026 NFL season or waits longer remains unknown.
Because it created the appearance of a conflict of interest that should have been disclosed, in its report, published on September 3, the outlet said her relationship with Vrabel violated its standards. Reports have also said Russini is considering offers from traditional sports networks and digital media companies, although no new job has been confirmed. For now, hiring Nathan is the clearest reported sign of a possible comeback.
The former NFL reporter has hired publicist Melissa Nathan to help manage her public image as she considers her next career move, according to Page Six. Russini has brought Melissa Nathan on board as she plans her return to the media industry, according to Page Six. Russini said the photographs lacked context and described the meeting as a group gathering. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy said in June that hiring Russini would be an easy decision if she wanted to join his company.
The decision comes months after a controversy involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel led to an internal review of her work. Nathan is known for handling public relations for high-profile clients, including Johnny Depp, Logan Paul and Justin Baldoni. She founded The Agency Group PR and has worked on cases that attracted major public attention. The move follows months of scrutiny over Russini’s interactions with Vrabel. The images raised questions about their relationship and whether it created a conflict of interest for Russini as a reporter covering the NFL. The Athletic later completed an internal review of her work. The review did not establish the full nature of their relationship, and it found no clear evidence that her reporting had been compromised. Russini is not starting from scratch if she decides to return. There have already been public signs that some media figures would consider working with her again.