Dianna Russini was unable to provide evidence backing her claim that she was on a separate 'friends trip' in Sedona when she was photographed with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, according to anESPNreport published on 17 April. Page Six had allegedly been willing to reconsider or even withhold its story about the pair, butDianna Russini and Vrabelfailed to produce any material to support their account.

For context, the controversy erupted afterPage Sixran images of Dianna Russini and Vrabel at a luxury hotel in Sedona, Arizona, ahead of the NFL's annual meetings in Phoenix, which began on 29 March. Witnesses quoted by the outlet said they saw the two together, holding hands and hugging, and did not recall the presence of any wider group of friends.

New England Patriots’ Mike Vrabel and top NY Times NFL reporter Dianna Russini hold hands and hug at luxury hotelhttps://t.co/BpPD0ScwBQpic.twitter.com/xrdqqmgDUC

Both Russini and Vrabel, who are married to other people, issued statements to the New York Post-owned outlet downplaying what the photos appeared to show and insisting they were each in town with friends.

ESPN, citing unnamed sources, painted an unflattering picture of how Dianna Russini and Vrabel handled the fallout once they learnedPage Sixwas preparing to publish. The outlet reported that the pair 'coordinated' on a response for when the story became public and were told the tabloid was open to changing 'the tone of the story or possibly not running it' if they could produce compelling proof that they had been on separate trips with friends.

Dianna Russini is “going through a very difficult time” after bombshell photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel surfaced, according to her friend. 📸: Getty, Page Six, Stugotz/YouTubepic.twitter.com/42JYhA9mHd

Such evidence, according toESPN, might have included text messages arranging an airport pick‑up, screenshots showing plans for a group holiday, or casual photos from a hike with others. None of that was apparently forthcoming.Page Sixran the photos. The speculation rolled on.

I submitted my letter of resignation to The Athletic. Everything I have to say about it is below.pic.twitter.com/401nrtbEsj

In the days before publication, Russini contacted a crisis‑communications professional and even reached out to Meredith Kopit Levien, the chief executive ofThe New York TimesCompany, which ownsThe Athletic, 'to plead her case,' ESPN reported.

After Dianna Russini exit, Times staffers slam Athletic’s ‘reflexive’ response to Mike Vrabel photos: ‘It’s embarassing’https://t.co/12n7H8YA7xpic.twitter.com/zZ8KRVixeE

Source: International Business Times UK