Barstool's Big Cat Sparks Debate With Dianna Russini Prediction

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Apr 25, 2026 2:56 PM ET

Dianna Russini has gone from breaking NFL stories to being involved in the biggest one of the offseason.

On April 7, Page Six released photos of Russini holding hands at an Arizona hotel with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. Although she denied any wrongdoing, she resigned from her role with The Athletic.

“In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts,” Russini said in her resignation latter. “Moreover, this media frenzy is hurtling forward without regard for the review process The Athletic is trying to complete. It continues to escalate, fueled by repeated leaks, and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept. Rather than allowing this to continue, I have decided to step aside now — before my current contract expires on June 30. I do so not because I accept the narrative that has been constructed around this episode, but because I refuse to lend it further oxygen or to let it define me or my career.”

A little over a week after Russini resigned, Page Six published photos from March 2020 that showed Russini and Vrabel getting close at a bar in New York City.

After these photos were released, Vrabel revealed that he'd miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft to undergo counseling.

Will Russini's questionable connection with Vrabel spell the end of her career in sports media? According to Barstool Sports personality Big Cat, she'll have the chance to redeem herself.

"I don't know if I wouldn't hire her, but I don't know if she'd want to work with us since we made some jokes," Big Cat told Front Office Sports. "It sucks that she had to leave her job - I think a lot of it was her own doing. But we're in a time where you can be independent. She can start a Substack, she can start a podcast. If you're someone who has an audience or can break news, people will follow that. There's a second act somewhere for her. I would be shocked if that was it for her."

"I would be shocked if that was it for her."@BarstoolBigCat believes there's nothing stopping Dianna Russini from continuing and succeeding in her sports media career "in a time now where you can be independent." pic.twitter.com/aUeWmlZ9x2
— Front Office Sports News (@FOS_News_) April 25, 2026

Can Dianna Russini pull off a successful comeback?

Judging by the responses to Big Cat's comments, NFL fans aren't so sure Russini will have a "second chapter" as a reporter.

"Except the fact that today you have to deal with the toxicity that is social media and people being able to send direct messages to you all day," one fan replied. "This isn’t the 90s where someone had to write a letter and then mail it to their local paper or ESPN if they didn’t like the guy."

"Her reputation and credibility is shot forever," a second fan wrote.

"I’m sure the Russini pod would be a big hit," another fan said.

"Yup. People can say what they want but she's a well connected and good reporter," a social media user argued.

Russini has not made any public comments since resigning from The Athletic. She did, however, delete her X account right before the start of the NFL Draft on Thursday night.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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