Exclusive photos have emerged appearing to show Mike Vrabel, head coach of the New England Patriots, and Dianna Russini, a top NFL reporter for the New York Times’ The Athletic, together at a luxury hotel.
The pair were spotted at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona, two weekends ago. The resort is described as boutique and set against the Brins Mesa mountain range.
Details of the Hotel Visit
A source reports Vrabel and Russini had breakfast on the hotel restaurant’s patio around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28. They then allegedly spent around an hour together at the pool and lounging side-by-side in a hot tub.
The source spotted Vrabel and Russini again that evening on the private rooftop of one of the hotel’s bungalows. These bungalows feature glass walls offering panoramic views and cost up to $2,160 a night. Roofs are only accessible from the two-person bungalows.
Photographs reportedly show the two hugging at sunset, and with their fingers woven together while standing face-to-face. The source claims they briefly danced together.
Denials and Alternative Explanations
Both Russini and Vrabel insist they were there with friends, claiming those friends were simply not visible in the pictures. A source close to Russini says she was staying at the hotel during a hiking trip with two female friends.
One of Vrabel’s friends told a source that they and the coach drove up to Sedona for the day with another friend. They all drove back to their own hotel, some two hours away, after spending time with Russini and her group.
However, three other eyewitnesses reportedly said they did not see anyone else with Vrabel and Russini. One eyewitness, when asked if the Patriots coach visited the hotel with a group of friends, responded: “No, he was with a girl.” The sequence of photographs reportedly taken at various points during the day show only Vrabel and Russini.
Context of the Trip
Vrabel attended a scouting event at Arizona State University in Tempe on Friday, March 27, before travelling to the Ambiente.
The adults-only Ambiente promotes itself as a romantic getaway, noting on its website the numerous proposals, anniversaries and honeymoons celebrated at the hotel.
After being seen with Russini, Vrabel went to the Biltmore hotel in Phoenix for a meeting of the NFL Competition Committee. This committee is a group of owners and coaches who oversee the game’s rulebook.
Russini was among many NFL reporters at the Biltmore when media had access to owners, executives and coaches.
On Thursday, The Athletic published a dispatch about the Biltmore meetings written by Russini and Jacob Robinson.
Russini has been a prominent football reporter for over a decade and routinely covers the Patriots.
She joined “SportsCenter”
Key Facts
- Vrabel and Russini were reportedly seen at the Ambiente in Sedona, Arizona.
- Photos appear to show them hugging and holding hands.
- Both claim they were with other friends who were not visible.
Vrabel’s visit to Arizona included attending a scouting event and an NFL Competition Committee meeting.