The former Athletic reporter plans to apply through iHeartMedia rather than her new BetUS show, which executives say could complicate her access.
Dianna Russini is heading back into NFL media, and she wants a seat at the league's biggest stage: Radio Row at Super Bowl week in Los Angeles. According to Front Office Sports, Russini will seek a press credential for the event, though it remains unclear whether the NFL will grant it.
The complication is her new gig. Russini just debuted "The Russini Report," a weekly web show hosted on BetUS, an offshore sportsbook. The NFL generally avoids association with offshore betting operations, and its gambling policy bars personnel from participating in illegal gambling markets. The league has said it works with lawmakers and law enforcement to shut down betting markets it considers harmful or prone to manipulation.
So Russini's workaround is to apply through iHeartMedia instead, where she told People she will also launch a podcast. Multiple anonymous NFL team executives told Front Office Sports that her BetUS affiliation could still be a sticking point when credential decisions get made, regardless of which outlet she uses to apply.
Whether that strategy works won't be clear until credentials are issued ahead of the February event.