Diana Russini May Struggle to Return to Media After Mike Vrabel Scandal

Diana Russini has reportedly hired crisis journalist Melissa Nathan to navigate the Mike Vrabel scandal as she seeks to return to sports media.

Nick has been nothing but great to me and my family

Diana Rossini has not commented publicly since announcing her resignation from the Athletic in April following a series of leaks that revealed she had a private meeting with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.

Perhaps most strangely of all, TMZ reported that it obtained records from a private yacht trip involving the two six years ago, months before the former NFL reporter gave birth to his first child.

According to the New York Post, Rossini is now looking to return to the media. He recently hired crisis journalist Melissa Nathan to help him navigate the Mike Vrabel scandal.

One could argue that Nathan's first advice should have been to not let Rossini hire a crisis journalist.

Diana Rossini, left, and Mike Vrabel, right, are shown in a split composite image showing Rossini with an ESPN microphone and Vrabel on the Titans sideline with a headset. (images)

On the face of it, we doubt any serious journalistic outlet would hire Rossini as an NFL reporter, a position he held for more than two decades. Rumors shape perception, and perception often becomes reality. The perception of Rossini is that he obtained immoral information because of an inappropriate, romantic, or immoral relationship with Vrabel.

Any important story he tells can raise questions about how he got the information. This conflict can also make sources more reluctant to provide sensitive information to him.

However, Rossini did not harm anyone. At worst, he violated a basic journalistic ethical standard by failing to disclose a close personal relationship with an NFL coach he covered professionally.

His whole career doesn't deserve to end because of this. He may simply be forced into another role.

Fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry told OutKick in August that he was "considering" signing Rossini as an analyst for his media company, Fantasy Life. Dave Portnoy has also expressed interest in bringing him to Barstool Sports as a character.

Matthew Berry has talked to ESPN about a comeback following the PAT MCAFEE model.

Depending on the price, there may be other suitors.

ESPN reporter Diana Rossini during the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 16, 2018. (Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)

The bigger question is how much Rossini can sustain as a character. There will undoubtedly be initial curiosity. Just about every sports and culture website picked up everything he had to say about Vrabel's photos and reports. But this curiosity is permanent.

Is he funny, charming and entertaining enough to be a star in the podcast space? Recent history shows that such a transition is hardly automatic.

The migration from traditional sports media to independent digital ventures has produced mixed results

Matthew Berry, Shannon Sharp, Jason Whitlock and Josh Peet have built significant audiences and businesses outside of the traditional sports media structure. Others, including Skip Bayless, Bomani Jones, and Cari Champion, have tried to replicate the connection they enjoyed in more prominent roles.

Rossini also faces an obstacle they did not have. Neither had to reinvent themselves after claims that questioned the nature of their relationship with a prominent football coach.

Photos of Rossini and Vrabel together at a private, adults-only resort remain in the media.

Get all the stories you need to know from the most powerful names in news delivered to your inbox every morning.