Shannon Sharpe weighed in on the cheating scandal involving soon-to-be former Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
Page Six published exclusive photos that showed Vrabel and ESPN reporter Dianna Russini holding hands and hugging at an adults-only resort in Arizona. They were also seen together at poolside, frolicking in a hot tub and embracing on a rooftop.
Russini, who is married, was forced to resign from her other job at The Atlantic. Vrabel may also be out of a job soon. Sharpe compared Vrabel’s situation to former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
Udoka resigned as head coach after he was caught cheating on Nia Long with a subordinate at work.
READ ALSO: Outrage: Mike Vrabel gets a pass from NFL
“Dianna Russini does not work for the Patriots. Mike Vrabel does not work for ESPN,” Sharpe said during a recent episode of “Nightcap.”
“Those are people that worked at that institution,” Sharpe added. “Now, in some situations, you can’t do that with an employee. If you’re a coach, you can’t mess with another employee or subordinate… Dianna Russini has to take that up with her husband, and Mike Vrabel is gonna have to take that up with his wife.”
Sharpe argued that Vrabel’s personal life shouldn’t affect his job.
“It’s a moral issue. You got two married people, two married consenting people engaging. What are you firing Mike Vrabel for? What is it that he did? What law or code? Some colleges have ethics or codes. So what code did he break? He broke his vows. Like I said, that’s between him and his wife. That’s between him and God. They’re not the same. Just being honest, guys… I just don’t see the correlation.”
Sharpe was sued for $50 million in April 2025 by a much younger woman who accused him of rape, sexual assault, and emotional distress during their relationship.
The lawsuit was settled in July 2025. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but reports are that she received $23 million.
Sharpe vigorously denied the allegations against him. “This is a shakedown,” he said in a statement in April 2025. “I’m gonna be open, transparent, and defend myself because this isn’t right. This is all being orchestrated by [Houston attorney] Tony Buzbee who has targeted Jay-Z. Tony Buzbee targets Black men.”
Sharpe also settled a $20 million defamation lawsuit in August 2025. Jimalita Tillman’s lawsuit against Sharpe, his “Nightcap” cohost Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, and Shay Shay Media LLC was dismissed with prejudice on August 7, according to court documents.
Tillman was called out by Sharpe and Johnson after she flirted with singer Usher Raymond at a concert at London’s 02 Arena in April 2025.
Tillman claimed that Sharpe and Johnson said she was married and that her husband filed for divorce, despite her being single.