The details of Dianna Russini’s new gig are official.
Russini will host “The Russini Report” every Wednesday starting Nov. 11 at 12 p.m. ET through an offshore sportsbook called BetUS. A written column of the same name will publish at the same time and supplement the live show.
“I’ve spent twenty years chasing the stories everyone’s talking about,” Russini said in a promotional video on the BetUS site. “Now, I get to tell them my way. Welcome to ‘The Russini Report.’ … I’ll have guests, we’re going to have opinions, and we’re going to have a lot of fun.”
“Football has always been my favorite sport to cover, and I’ve really missed being in the middle of the action, breaking stories and connecting fans to what’s happening across the league,” Russini
said in a statement. “I’m excited to get back to reporting on the NFL and bring that passion to BetUS. I want to give fans more than just the headlines, sharing insider perspectives, uncovering the stories behind the biggest moments, and helping audiences better understand the teams, players, and matchups that shape each week.”
Russini was formerly a NFL insider for The Athletic but resigned in April amid an internal investigation into her relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The two were photographed together at an Arizona resort prior to the league’s spring meeting, according to photos published by the New York Post. More photos of the two emerged from previous years despite previous denials from both parties that nothing inappropriate was afoot.
“Dianna brings an incredible level of experience, energy, and insider knowledge to NFL reporting,” BetUS head content editor Andres Vargas said. “At BetUS, we already provide fans with in-depth sports news, expert analysis, and betting statistics to help them stay ahead of the game. Bringing Dianna on board takes that offering to the next level, combining her insider reporting and ability to uncover breaking stories with the data and insights our fans already rely on. We’re excited to give NFL fans an even deeper understanding of the teams, players, and matchups shaping the season.”
Russini also covered the NFL for ESPN and the local NBC station in Washington, D.C.
Dianna Russini's People interview
In an exclusive interview with People, Russini opened up on what the last seven months have been like for her as she retreated from the public eye. Both Vrabel and Russini are married to other people.
“I would not wish that experience on any person ever,” she told the tabloid. “But through it, I did get an opportunity to not just learn about myself, but my family and our priorities, and maybe some decisions and things I was doing in my career, and putting it before what I really wanted most, which was to be a mom.
“The lies became so out of control. This was a runaway train, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Once we realized nothing was going to stop this, it became unhealthy for us to read it because it wasn’t helping us heal. It was piling on and adding to what we were already dealing with.
“I really hope that I can be someone other women see: you can pick yourself up, get back in there and not be afraid. Because if you just do the work — and I hope to continue working at a high level — that’s all that’s going to matter. And I hope that quiets the noise.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dianna Russini to host new show on offshore sportsbook after controversy
