Sex sells, even in sports media. The fallout from photos of New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and former NFL insider for The Athletic Dianna Russini continues to play out across national media. While there haven’t been any new details about the relationship Russini and Vrabel shared, both professionally and personally, in some time, the story still commands collective attention nearly a month after the initial photos were released.
However, an interesting side story has developed over the course of the coverage. This involves how Boston-based media outlets have handled the ongoing controversy. From radio hosts to podcasters to digital outlets, there’s been an overarching critique of the media’s approach in the Patriots’ home market. The latest dig at the “soft” nature of the coverage ironically came from one of Boston’s largest media personalities, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Mike Felger.
However, in his critique of the local media, Felger landed direct shots but also failed to recognize a key element of his argument.
Keeping in mind that all opinion is debatable, Felger’s history in the market adds weight to his words. His background in newspapers provides the journalistic backbone for the points he made in his critique of Boston media.
In speaking with Awful Announcing’s Brandon Contes, Felger laid into the “outlets” that didn’t act decisively enough to meet the moment and advance the story.
“I don’t blame the Patriots reporters, because that is a tough spot if you’re a beat guy that covers that team,” said Felger to Awful Announcing. “The outlets don’t even have the guy or the girl or the columnist or the reporter anymore to go cover it. And that’s what disappoints me the most. Do you want to sell the newspaper? Do you want people to watch the news?”
Where Felger Was Right
Felger, a former beat reporter and columnist, didn’t target those doing the work. Instead, he aimed at those who could have asked the necessary questions without risking access or favor with the organization.
“It’s kind of sad, and I don’t know if it speaks to Boston as a market that we’re a little soft, maybe,” said Felger. “It speaks more to the de-staffing of local traditional media outlets…it’s also just not the mindset…I don’t know if these places have the same mentality.”
That’s a fair point. Traditional print publications have borne the brunt of staff reductions and resource cuts for years. Reporters now face greater risk when asking tough questions, as access has become more limited and increasingly replaced by franchise-produced, carefully controlled narratives.
However, last time I checked, doesn’t Felger himself work for one of these Boston media “outlets”?
Felger & Mazz is one of the country’s most successful and widely listened-to sports radio programs. The foundation of the show is rooted in the deep journalistic experience both Felger and Tony Massarotti built during their years in traditional print media.
To their credit, Felger & Mazz have discussed the ongoing controversy involving Vrabel on several occasions. In fact, they even challenged longtime Boston writer Greg Bedard on air about whether the Vrabel/Russini story is something audiences care about.
Here’s where Felger’s criticism falls short.
Where Felger Missed
While he focused heavily on “outlets,” he didn’t consider his own. His critique targeted beat reporters, who, according to Patriots reporter Ben Volin, ignored team directives and did ask Vrabel questions during his limited availability regarding the controversy.
Going back and watching the tape, Volin was correct.
Meanwhile, Scott Zolak, who also hosts on 98.5 The Sports Hub, openly admitted he didn’t feel comfortable discussing the situation involving the Patriots’ head coach.
“I like my jobs, and like working here. I like working with the Patriots, doing games on TV and being with the team. For me to sit there and cast stones at this guy would not do me great things. So there’s your answer in a nutshell,” said Zolak on April 16.
So what’s softer? Reporters asking limited questions during restricted access, or a talk show host refusing to discuss a topic the audience cares about because he values job security?
Yet Felger singles out “outlets” while pointing only to newspaper reporters and editors. Not his teammate at 98.5 The Sports Hub.
Felger isn’t wrong about what’s been lost. Newsrooms are thinner. Access is tighter. The appetite for confrontation isn’t what it once was when he ran the beat. All of that is real.
But credibility in today’s sports media ecosystem isn’t built on pointing to the past. It’s built on what you’re willing to do right now, in your own chair, with your own microphone.
Could Felger have done what he believes beat reporters failed to do? A drive to the Patriots facility wouldn’t have been too unreasonable. That’s what a responsible sports talk host does. When something is missing, you go out and do the work.
In Conclusion
Journalism remains the backbone of what makes Felger and Massarotti effective. The success of 98.5 The Sports Hub proves that.
But if the standard is to “meet the moment,” then it applies across the board. Even to your teammates, and not behind a broad label of ‘outlets.’ Not just to beat writers fighting for access. But to hosts with massive platforms, protected airtime, and the freedom to say what others can’t.
You can’t call out softness in the market while excusing it in your own building.
Because the audience can tell the difference between can’t and won’t. And they don’t reward the latter. That’s the part of this conversation that matters most.
It’s not about Boston being soft. It’s about who’s actually willing to be firm when it counts.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
