‘The lies became so out of control’: Dianna Russini details nightmare scandal and media comeback

Stepping away from coverage

About a month after her resignation, Russini and her family decided to stop following news coverage about her. She said it had become unhealthy to read reports that were not helping them heal.

Family and lasting effects

Russini said the experience led her to reflect on her career choices and her priority of being a mother. She described her family’s love and support as helping her feel that they were a united front.

She also said the attention affected relatives, including her 94-year-old grandmother, cousins and family members she had not spoken to in years. Russini told People she now has greater empathy for people at the center of stories she covers.

Return to sports media

Russini’s comeback includes joining Stugotz on the Nobody’s Safe podcast and hosting a weekly show with BetUS TV. The premiere will air Wednesday at noon ET on the platform’s website and X account; she said the program will cover the NFL and include more opinion than her previous roles.

Russini said she hopes her return can encourage other women to continue working in sports media despite backlash. She said she hopes strong work will help quiet criticism.