Hour 4 - The Report Card is In

September 4, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Athletic spent five months investigating Diana Russini, the former NFL insider, for her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. They reviewed 93 stories, 77 videos, 204 podcasts, and roughly 25 outside appearances. They interviewed 14 employees. Their conclusion: Russini failed to disclose a relationship that violated journalistic standards, but they found no evidence she slanted coverage or published inaccuracies about Vrabel. Ben Maller’s reaction is less measured. “Everyone with any common sense knew what was going on after those five photographs popped up,” he says. “This wasn’t church and state. It was church and state sharing a poolside cabana in Arizona.”

The Athletic’s Report Card on Russini

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What you'll learn

1 (04:16) **The Report Card on Diana Russini** - Ben introduces the Athletic's investigation into former NFL insider Diana Russini's undisclosed relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
2 (14:16) **North Carolina's Animal House Scandal** - Ben covers Michael Lombardi's resignation from UNC and the broader investigation into the Tar Heels football program under Bill Belichick's influence.
3 (21:13) **The Cowboys' Salary Cap Magic** - Ben breaks down Dallas creating $19 million in cap space by reworking three contracts, using it as a teachable moment about the NFL salary cap.
4 (31:51) **Caller: Jeff from Tampa on Buffalo Stadium Stories** - A caller shares a colorful anecdote about Bills fans avoiding restrooms in cold weather.
5 (35:31) **Caller: Frank the Tank on NFC North and LSU** - Frank from Iowa calls in to discuss the NFC North and gets a betting tip from Ben.
6 (39:04) **Coop Scoop on Entertainment** - Justin Cooper delivers the weekend's movie and TV recommendations.
7 (48:16) **Sports Jeopardy: The Nickname Game** - Ben hosts a trivia round where contestants must name athletes by their nicknames.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Ben Maller

Show Notes

Ben Maller talks about The Athletic report card on disgraced NFL insider Dianna Russini, Michael Lombardi out at North Carolina amid reports the Tar Heels program has inappropriate sexual relationships and supplying drugs to players, Coop's Scoop on Entertainment, Sports Jeopardy, and more!

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