During Super Bowl week in Los Angeles, Dianna Russini aims to secure a high-profile spot on Radio Row. Front Office Sports reported on Friday that she plans to apply for the credential through iHeartMedia. The NFL generally keeps its distance from offshore betting companies, creating a potential obstacle because Russini recently launched a show with BetUS. The league has not said whether that affiliation will affect her credential application.
The path to the Super Bowl media center is not clear for Russini right now. In April, Russini resigned from The Athletic after Page Six published photographs of her and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holding hands and embracing at an Arizona resort. Both are married to other people. The Athletic subsequently investigated the situation and concluded that Russini should have disclosed the nature of her relationship with Vrabel so editors could assess potential conflicts of interest. Additional photographs published by Page Six showed the two apparently kissing at a New York City bar in 2020. Vrabel also announced he would attend counseling and missed the final day of the NFL Draft to do so.
The Credential Hurdle
Russini faces a specific problem with her current media partner, BetUS. Russini plans to apply through her iHeartMedia affiliation, where she is expected to contribute to a podcast with Jon “Stugotz” Weiner. The strategy would separate her credential application from her association with BetUS, although approval is not guaranteed. The league will have to decide if her new role meets their strict standards for media access.
She has not stayed silent about the events that forced her out of her previous job. In a story with People magazine, she described the emotional toll of the last six months. “The best way to describe what the last six months were like for me is heartbreaking,” Russini said. She explained that the media coverage had become a runaway train she could not stop. She called the situation a nightmare and said the lies got out of control. In the interview, Russini said false claims had spread about her but did not identify the specific statements she considered lies. The photos published by Page Six showed them allegedly kissing at different times.
Return To The Spotlight
Russini, who is 43 years old, kept a low profile until last week. She debuted her new show, “The Russini Report,” and joked about the memes that emerged from the scandal. Her relationship with Vrabel was not discussed much by her during the launch.
The Super Bowl in Los Angeles will be a test of her new media strategy. She needs the credential to get on Radio Row, which is the center of NFL media activity. If the NFL determines that her affiliation with BetUS makes her ineligible for a Radio Row position, her high-profile plans could stall.
A Tough Road Ahead
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in the Los Angeles area. The NFL’s credential application deadline is December 4, 2026. The application allows media organizations to request Radio Row positions, but approval is not automatic. The NFL has strict rules about who gets to cover the biggest game of the year. Russini’s attempt to use her iHeartMedia job as a workaround is a bold move.
