Sports Journalist Terminated Following Controversial Social Media Post
USA Today Sports has severed its contractor relationship with NFL reporter Crissy Froyd after she publicly celebrated the resignation of fellow sports journalist Dianna Russini from The Athletic. The termination was announced as "effective immediately" following Froyd's inflammatory social media comments regarding Russini's departure.
The Scandal That Prompted Resignation
Dianna Russini, a 43-year-old senior NFL insider at The Athletic, announced her resignation on Tuesday after photographs surfaced showing her holding hands and hugging with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, 50. The images were reportedly taken on March 28 at the Ambiente hotel in Sedona, Arizona, and were later obtained and published by Page Six earlier this month.
Both Russini and Vrabel, who are married to other people, have issued separate statements denying any wrongdoing. Russini described the photos as representing "a completely innocent interaction" among a group of six people, while Vrabel called suggestions of impropriety "laughable."
Froyd's Controversial Comments and Termination
In response to Russini's resignation announcement, Crissy Froyd took to social media platform X to express her views. "I'm sure you were told to submit this or that you'd get fired instead," Froyd wrote. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you've been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way."
Days later, USA Today Sports announced it was ending its contractor relationship with Froyd. In a statement shared on social media, the outlet declared: "Her recent statements do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct."
Froyd Stands By Her Statements
Following her termination, Froyd has remained defiant about her comments. "I regret zero of what I said and stand beside it," she stated on X. "If you want to talk, my messages are open. My email is operative, too. I feel I've been very transparent and did nothing wrong."
She continued: "Be bold and speak out. Will it make a martyr out of you? Maybe. But some things are worth it and some are not. This was."
The Athletic's Investigation and Russini's Departure
The New York Times, which acquired The Athletic in 2022, launched an investigation into the nature of the photographs. The organization reiterated that its editorial guidelines require journalists to avoid activities that could create conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts that might compromise their credibility.
In her resignation letter, Russini maintained that she had covered the NFL "with professionalism and dedication" and stood behind every story she had published. She expressed gratitude that The Athletic had initially supported her "unequivocally" when the photos first emerged.
However, she noted that "commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts" and that the "media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete."
Russini, who joined The Athletic in 2023, decided to step down ahead of her contract's expiration date of June 30. "I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode," she wrote, "but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career."
The Independent has contacted Russini's representative for additional comment on the situation.
