Dianna Russini Returns Next Week With a New Show, Portnoy Confirms

Dianna Russini is coming back to sports media next week.

She will host a new digital interview show, according to multiple reports.

Dave Portnoy confirmed she will not be working at Barstool Sports.

The news was first reported by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

Florio cited a source with knowledge of the situation.

Page Six followed up with its own report.

A source told Page Six the show has been in development for a while.

"It's going to be on a digital platform," the source said.

"It will be launching next week."

"It's been in the works for a while and she can't wait to get back to what she loves."

The platform behind the show has not been publicly identified.

No premiere date or guest lineup has been announced.

Russini has been telling people in the league she plans to return to work "next week."

The timing lines up with the NFL trade deadline.

The halfway point of the 2026 NFL season arrives this weekend.

The trade deadline typically falls shortly after the midpoint.

Russini built her career as an NFL insider at ESPN.

She spent eight years there before joining The Athletic in 2023.

She became one of the league's most recognizable reporters.

Her departure from The Athletic came abruptly in April.

Page Six published photographs showing her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel together at a resort in Sedona, Arizona.

The images showed the two holding hands and embracing.

Additional photographs later emerged from a New York bar in 2020.

Another report said the couple rented a boat together in 2021 while Russini was apparently pregnant with her first child.

Both Russini and Vrabel are married with children.

Neither has admitted to any romantic involvement.

Vrabel noted "difficult conversations" with his family and said he was getting therapy.

The Athletic launched an internal investigation.

The investigation examined whether Russini's relationship with Vrabel had influenced her reporting.

In September, the publication released its findings.

The investigation determined Russini had violated newsroom standards by failing to disclose the relationship.

However, it did not establish a clear connection between the relationship and reporting intended to benefit Vrabel.

Russini resigned from The Athletic on April 14.

Her salary at the time was reported at $800,000 per year.

She hired a crisis publicist about a month ago, according to the Barstool Sports report.

Dave Portnoy addressed the situation directly.

He confirmed Russini will not be joining Barstool Sports.

"She will NOT be spreading the news here at Barstool SPORTS, per our fearless honest leader Dave Portnoy," the Barstool blog stated.

"And thank GOD that is the case brother."

The blog added: "I was fully prepared for her to become my coworker knowing how demented this place & The Internet can be."

"Would've been a hilarious moment in the anals of history for sure."

"But I ain't mad about it!"

According to the rumors, the new show will be some kind of digital talkshow.

The Barstool blog characterized it as "a very original groundbreaking idea."

The blog also noted: "No hard feelings her way regardless."

"I'm just trying to play the Scoop City game just like her."

"I'm sure she'd be welcomed back here with open arms if she wants to run through another round of Barstool Feud."

The reported comeback raises questions about Russini's credibility.

Florio noted that if she returns to reporting, she will need to restore her own credibility.

"Especially given the unique set of facts that resulted in her departure from The Athletic," he wrote.

The new show format may represent a shift away from traditional reporting.

Instead of breaking news, she would be hosting interviews with players and coaches.

That role does not require the same level of access or trust from league sources.

It also keeps her in front of the camera, where she has experience from her ESPN days.

The NFL trade deadline is expected to generate significant news.

Teams will be making moves to position themselves for the playoffs.

Russini's return during that window could allow her to demonstrate her continued access to league information.

The Barstool blog speculated about potential trades she might have inside knowledge on.

It mentioned a possible Vikings trade for running back Jonathan Taylor.

It also raised the possibility of a Patriots trade.

Those are speculative examples, not reported facts.

No official announcement has been made by Russini or any platform.

The show's name, format, and distribution method remain unknown.

It is unclear whether the show will be an independent venture or part of an established media company.

Russini has not commented publicly since the reports emerged.

HuffPost reached out to Russini for comment but did not report receiving a response.

Vrabel has not commented on her reported return.

The Patriots are currently in the middle of their season.

Vrabel took over as head coach in 2025.

The controversy has followed both of them for months.