With the NFL granting permission to teams to create their schedule release videos without a review, the New England Patriots will be a heavily targeted team online because of the head coach’s controversy with Dianna Russini. However, their millionaire superfan has emerged with a threat that might keep teams from doing so.
“Let me say this loud and clear,” said Dave Portnoy on X. ” I will be monitoring all schedule releases and anybody who makes a joke about this disgusting controversy will be put on my list and face potential legal action. You’ve been warned.”
Let me say this loud and clear. I will be monitoring all schedule releases and anybody who makes a joke about this disgusting controversy will be put on my list and face potential legal action. You’ve been warned. https://t.co/qHxPgsr9mX
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 14, 2026
Dave Portnoy, the renowned businessman and owner of Barstool Sports, is a die-hard New England Patriots fan, and it seems like he has taken it upon himself to stop anything from affecting the team going into the season.
The NFL previously stated that the Russini-Vrabel controversy does not fall under the Personal Conduct Policy of the league, so they will not be taking any action. It was clear that the creative schedule videos could get a little too tough for the Patriots, considering their coach’s involvement in the controversy.
“The league is not reviewing videos in advance. Instead, clubs will continue to control the content of their memes and videos from start to finish,” read an article from Front Office Sports. “The young, aggressive, social media wags at all 32 clubs will be free to mock Vrabel and the Patriots if they wish.”
The controversy between the Pats coach Mike Vrabel and the seasoned journalist Dianna Russini has been running for over a month after Page Six released a series of their pictures in the first week of April. It led to the resignation of the 43-year-old at The Athletic, while Vrabel continues to coach Portnoy’s team.
When the story first came to light, Portnoy immediately showed support for the Super Bowl runner-up coach. He previously praised the head coach on social media, applauding his leadership in the locker room, while declaring, “You can’t spell Vrabel without accountability.”
His legal threat comes due to his support for the Patriots and coach Vrabel. He believes that the media has already milked the story for over a month, releasing multiple pictures from their past. Turning the personal struggle into a marketing stunt, things have been pushed way too far, affecting the family lives of both Vrabel and Russini for weeks.
