NFL reporter Crissy Froyd says her FanSided freelance role ended on Tuesday, June 2, after she published a Daily Mail op-ed alleging a quid pro quo culture in NFL sports reporting. Froyd also links her USA Today contract termination to her remarks about Dianna
Crissy Froyd learned her FanSided freelance role was over on Tuesday, June 2 — and she believes it happened because she wouldn’t stay quiet.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, the former USA Today NFL reporter said her assignment was terminated “because of the op-ed that I did,” adding: “The reason [the role was ended] is because of the op-ed that I did. The reason is that I spoke out.”
Froyd. 26. had published the op-ed on May 30 for the Daily Mail. alleging that “some female sports reporters. rumored to include some of the most prominent names in the business. trade sex for stories.” She frames it as an alleged quid pro quo culture in NFL sports coverage — one she says rewards women for personal relationships with NFL coaches and staff.
Her claim lands in the middle of a separate, high-profile controversy involving Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel. Russini, 43, is a senior NFL insider at The New York Times’ The Athletic. Vrabel, 50, is the head coach of the New England Patriots. More images of Russini and Vrabel — who are married to different people — were published by various media outlets after they were photographed hugging and kissing at a luxury resort in Sedona. Arizona. in late March.
Froyd’s Daily Mail piece came weeks after her professional relationship with USA Today ended. USA Today terminated her contract “effective immediately” over her comments about Russini and Vrabel.
Froyd points to what she says is the timing of Russini’s actions and her own reaction. After Russini resigned from her role with The Athletic on April 14. Froyd posted on X: “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way.”.
Russini and Vrabel have denied any inappropriate conduct. On April 23, Vrabel announced he would voluntarily attend a “counseling” program and acknowledged it was necessary for him to be “the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be.”
Froyd now says the same kind of scrutiny she experienced after speaking out about Russini is repeating itself. She claims FanSided retaliated against her for discussing what she called “the taint of corruption” afflicting NFL sports reporting.
In the May 30 Daily Mail op-ed. Froyd wrote: “At the very least. Russini and Vrabel’s relationship creates the perception of a quid pro quo culture that pressures female journalists to trade sexual relationships with powerful male NFL employees in return for access and advancement.” She added that the Vrabel-Russini scandal “also casts suspicion over the journalists and NFL teams that do things the right way. of which there are many. That’s unfair and demoralizing – and that’s why I tweeted about Russini’s resignation from The Athletic. resulting in my termination from USA Today.”.
Froyd also wrote that she had allegedly been told by at least half a dozen female reporters that they have had sex with NFL staff and, in one case, a prominent NFL head coach, while they were covering the team.
She says she had not received negative feedback about her work with FanSided before the decision was communicated to her. She described receiving an email informing her that her role had been eliminated.
The Daily Mail contacted Minute Media — the owner of FanSided and the publisher of Sports Illustrated — for comment on Froyd’s allegations. The outlet said it has not yet received a response.
In its review of the email Froyd received. The Daily Mail reported that FanSided’s employee told her the news articles she wrote did not generate “the traffic results to sustain the arrangement. ” and said the company “feels it is best to move in a new direction for both parties.” The email also indicated that Froyd would be paid for her work in May and June.
Taken together. Froyd’s account puts a spotlight on a pattern she insists is personal: she says she spoke out about alleged wrongdoing in NFL media. and after that. both USA Today and FanSided ended her role. For Froyd. the issue isn’t just one contract; it’s the fear she says comes with being the person who publicly connects scandal and opportunity.
As the NFL media world absorbs the Russini and Vrabel controversy — and as their relationship remains denied while investigators and resignations have already moved the story forward — Froyd’s claims add a new. urgent question: whether telling her version of the story has come with consequences she believes she shouldn’t have to pay.
Crissy Froyd FanSided Minute Media USA Today NFL reporting scandal Dianna Russini Mike Vrabel New England Patriots The Athletic Daily Mail quid pro quo sports journalism