Following the circulation of an Associated Press piece detailing Dianna Russini’s departure from The Athletic, she subsequently shared her complete letter of resignation on Twitter.
Presented below is the entire content of her correspondence addressed to Steve Ginsberg, who serves as the executive editor for The Athletic:
“Kindly consider this document my formal resignation from The Athletic, to take effect right away. I arrived at this conclusion with profound sorrow, yet with a clear understanding of what is best for myself, my loved ones, and the professional endeavors I have cultivated throughout my career.
“You and I have previously responded publicly to the recent criticisms directed at me, and I have no further public comments beyond our prior statements. My reporting on the NFL has consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment over the course of my career, and I fully endorse all journalistic pieces I have ever released.
“Upon the initial publication of the Page Six article, The Athletic offered its unwavering support, affirming its belief in my contributions and recognizing the quality of my journalistic efforts. I deeply appreciate this.
“Subsequently, regrettably, numerous media pundits have indulged in self-perpetuating conjectures that bear no relation to the actual facts. Furthermore, this intense media commotion is advancing without acknowledging the internal investigative process that The Athletic is endeavoring to conclude. It persists in intensifying, exacerbated by continuous unauthorized disclosures, and I have no desire to participate in a public examination that has already inflicted significantly more harm than I am prepared to endure.
“Instead of permitting this situation to persist, I have chosen to withdraw at this time — prior to my existing agreement concluding on June 30. My decision stems not from an acceptance of the storyline fabricated surrounding this incident, but from my refusal to provide it additional validation or to allow it to characterize either myself or my professional trajectory.
“Throughout a career extending over fifteen years in the field of sports journalism — including tenures at NBC, ESPN, and The Athletic — I have established a professional portfolio of which I am exceptionally proud. I have uncovered exclusive stories, cultivated confidence with informants throughout the league, and consistently adhered to the most rigorous principles of professional behavior. This history stands as its own testament.
“I continue to hold immense gratitude for The Athletic and for the exceptional individuals with whom I collaborated during my time there, for the opportunities it offered, and for the assistance you extended to me during this challenging period. I sincerely hope for your ongoing prosperity.”
Comments regarding the letter on Twitter have been limited, a decision that appears judicious. A seemingly harmless exploratory tweet from the previous week concerning the continuing discussions between the NFL and its Referees Association was deluged by the expected kind of negativity prevalent on social media platforms.
The text of the letter itself conveys the impression of legal authorship. The telltale sign is the notation at the beginning specifying the delivery method: “Via Electronic Mail.” Legal professionals customarily initiate their communications in this manner; individuals outside the legal field seldom, if ever, employ such a practice.
Should its composition be attributed to legal counsel, it might represent an attempt to persuade The Athletic to cease its inquiry prior to reaching a definitive outcome. If, ultimately, The Athletic were to conclude that images depicting Russini alongside Patriots coach Mike Vrabel do not comply with journalistic standards which “mandate that their reporters abstain from any actions presenting a conflict of interest or the perception thereof, to maintain their integrity” and/or if her disavowal of impropriety proved to be partially incorrect, such a determination would have exacerbated an already difficult circumstance.
Given the current circumstances, the act of resigning arguably renders the ongoing investigation irrelevant. It is yet to be determined whether The Athletic will arrive at this particular assessment. Other journalists employed by The Athletic and its parent organization, The New York Times, might be contending for a conclusive, public announcement regarding the matter, aiming to safeguard the publications’ trustworthiness and reputation moving forward.
