Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini were brutally trolled over their ongoing affair scandal during ESPN's 'Inside the NBA' on Sunday evening. The Patriots head coach and former NFL Insider have been at the center of debate after being pictured together at a $2,500-a-night adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona.
Though the pair both initially denied any suggestions of an affair, the tale took another twist when an intimate six-year-old picture of them at a New York bar emerged during the scandal. While Patriots coach Vrabel has since offered an apology, Russini has remained out of the spotlight as she continues to navigate the shocking fallout from the photos.
Both have attempted to maintain a low profile in recent weeks. However, on Sunday night, they were thrust back into the spotlight on ESPN's 'Inside the NBA'. During the show, a segment called 'Gone Fishing' — which mocked teams eliminated from the playoffs — was aired. As part of the segment, a graphic was made that showed all of the notable NBA stars who have already been eliminated from this year's postseason. At the front of the boat stood a mocked-up version of Vrabel and Russini recreating the iconic 'Titanic pose'.
As the graphic was shown on screen, analysts Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson stifled laughs before poking fun at the pair. 'Who are the two people at the front?' Smith jokingly asked. 'I don't know them.' Barkley quickly chimed in, adding: 'Stop it.' Johnson then continued: 'Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on there, Tatum and Brown. That's all I see on the boat. I don't see anything else.'
The graphic was particularly surprising given Russini's employment history — she spent eight years at the network before moving to The Athletic in 2023. The moment quickly went viral on social media, with many fans bewildered that ESPN had made such a pointed jab at the embattled duo. One fan bluntly wrote on X: 'They're so savage for that.' Another shocked fan said on social media: 'Oh boy… they went there…'
In the weeks that have followed the shocking scandal, Vrabel has since committed himself to counseling and offered a groveling apology to his wife and family. Meanwhile, Russini resigned from her role at The Athletic and released a statement insisting her resignation did not mean she crossed the line with Vrabel. While the future of Russini's professional career remains uncertain, a source close to the former reporter also revealed her personal life is 'hanging in the balance'. Russini's husband, fast food executive Kevin Goldschmidt, has been left feeling 'emasculated' and 'sidelined' by the ongoing saga, the source told The Daily Mail.
