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Veteran Indiana-based sports reporter Gregg Doyel has been punished after going viral during Caitlin Clark’s introductory press conference.
Two weeks ago, while Clark was being introduced to the media by the Indiana Fever, Doyel creeped out the WNBA star when he began making a heart-hand gesture at her.
A reporter sends a “🫶” at Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark: "I do that at my family after every game.”
Reporter: "Start doing it to me and we'll get along just fine."
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 17, 2024
Doyel faced immediate backlash from fans, who called for his firing after the Clark clip went viral on social media.
Apparently, Doyel has not covered a game this season because he’s been suspended by his newspaper, The Indy Star, and forced to watch Fever games at home for the rest of the season.
Via Bob Kravitz
Gregg Doyel, the Indianapolis Star columnist who was roundly criticized for his actions during Caitlin Clark’s introductory press conference April 17, is in the middle of a two-week suspension handed down by the Star’s owners, Gannett, and by the Star itself, according to multiple sources.
He will not attend any Fever games this summer but will continue to write columns off the team by watching TV from his home.
The Indy Star is still receiving criticism for how they handled the Doyel/Clark situation despite suspending him.
Why would The Star want to keep it "under wraps"?
Suspend him and explain why you did it. Let us know you have actual standards for conduct. This is just kind of a meek half measure. No Internet Credit Points awarded. https://t.co/WgQGx5CEYU pic.twitter.com/uvkhalO0LI
— Assembly Call (⚪,🔴) (@AssemblyCall) May 7, 2024
Pretty wild that The Star is still going to allow Doyel to write about Clark and the team after that display. https://t.co/RDtrJvO31r
— Sym (@symmering) May 7, 2024
As for Doyel, he apologized to Clark immediately after incident in a bizarre article that also received criticism from fans.