The Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel scandal has become one of the biggest stories in all of sports, so it’s not a huge surprise that even the NBA world is now getting involved.
Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel Reference on ESPN’s ‘Inside the NBA’ Turns Heads
On Sunday, ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” shared its “Gone Finishing” graphic for the Boston Celtics after they were eliminated from the playoffs by the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7. The graphic featured Russini and Vrabel, and the sports world reacted immediately.
“Inside the NBA” included the New England Patriots head coach and Russini on the Celtics’ boat. Awful Announcing’s account on X posted the clip and it quickly went viral.
‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN includes Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel on the “Gone Fishing” graphic for the Boston Celtics. pic.twitter.com/NxhFY302aq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 4, 2026
Hoop Central reacted to the clip and noted that Charles Barkley and Co. didn’t watch to the scandal: “Inside the NBA had Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel on their ‘Gone Fishing’ graphic — … The crew didn’t want to acknowledge it.”
Inside the NBA had Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel on their “Gone Fishing” graphic —
The crew didn’t want to acknowledge it. 🤣💀
(h/t @awfulannouncing)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 4, 2026
One influencer praised “Inside the NBA”, writing, “They still got their fastball”.
Longtime NFL reporter Mike Freeman noted reacted by posting, “Ohmygod.”
Ohmygod https://t.co/p3prZdBh7F
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) May 4, 2026
Rod, a comedian and writer for HBO’s “Game Theory with Bomani Jones” also had a one-word reaction: “Flagrant.”
Ryan McIntyre, co-host of The College Experience podcast, wrote on X, “Inside the NBA remains undefeated.”
Inside the NBA remains undefeated https://t.co/mCHbdORMeD
— Ryan McIntyre (@Moneyline_Mac) May 4, 2026
Brandon Scott of Houston’s SportsRadio 610 headed out to X and posted, “This was wild lol”
“Gone Fishing” is a tradition for the “Inside the NBA” crew, which is made up of Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal, as they send off ousted playoff teams with well wishes for an offseason trip to Cancun.
Russini and Vrabel being included in the Celtics’ send-off, though, was unexpected, especially given how ESPN has largely avoided the scandal up to this point.
Since the intimate pictures of Russini and Vrabel from Arizona first leaked, the story has spread like wildfire. From resurfaced interview moments and suspicious old posts on X, to tampering allegations and even an alleged Spotify playlist, the saga has featured plenty of twists and turns.
Russini resigned from The Athletic, while Vrabel stepped away from the New England Patriots on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to enter counseling, and he has admitted to having some “difficult conversations” in the aftermath of the photos leaking.
