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The Athletic and the National Football League have entered into preliminary discussions about expanding their business relationship, with the New York Times-owned sports publication potentially providing content for NFL.com and the NFL+ streaming application. According to sources, the talks center primarily on video content, though written articles from The Athletic could also be featured on the league’s digital platforms. The scope and timeline of these negotiations remain unclear, but such an arrangement would mark a significant deepening of ties between the sports media outlet and its primary coverage subject.
The timing of these discussions has created a notable contradiction, as The Athletic is simultaneously conducting an internal investigation into former NFL reporter Dianna Russini regarding a potential conflict of interest involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The probe examines the nature and extent of Russini’s relationship with Vrabel, which extended beyond conventional professional boundaries. Page Six published photographs last spring showing Russini and Vrabel together at a Sedona, Arizona resort, depicted hugging, holding hands, and relaxing by a pool and hot tub.
Vrabel publicly acknowledged the relationship prompted difficult family conversations and prompted him to seek professional family counseling. The situation raised serious questions about journalistic ethics and independence at a time when The Athletic is considering formal partnership arrangements with the same league it covers. The publication’s editorial standards, derived from New York Times guidelines, explicitly mandate avoiding even the appearance of conflicts of interest to preserve reader credibility and trust.
The proposed NFL partnership creates additional concerns beyond journalistic ethics. The Athletic operates as a subscription-based service, while NFL.com operates as free content, potentially creating financial conflicts within the organization. Critics also question whether content shared on NFL platforms could face editorial pressures to downplay controversial league issues including domestic violence allegations, suspensions, officiating disputes, or the NFL’s evolving political positioning.
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