The Indianapolis Star has suspended sports reporter, Gregg Doyel from covering Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever this summer following his exchange with the WNBA rookie in her introductory news conference that was held a few weeks ago.
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The Star verified the decision via email to the Washington Post on Tuesday after a report came out by journalist and former Star columnist Bob Kravitz. “Indianapolis Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel will not be covering the Indiana Fever,” Star spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton wrote in an email to The Post. Kravitz additionally stated that Doyel was currently serving a two-week suspension. While The Star did not officially confirm his suspension, the Washington Post referenced a source familiar with the situation who confirmed that Doyel is indeed suspended without pay.
The ban and alleged suspension are a result of Doyel’s interaction with Clark during her April 17 press conference with the Fever, following her first overall selection in the WNBA Draft. In the video you can’t see Doyel but according to multiple news outlets, the reporter was seen flashing a heart sign at Caitlin Clark with his hands during their interaction, which then led to an awkward conversation.
“Hi, Caitlin, Gregg Doyel, Indy Star. Real quick, let me do this,” Doyel said to Clark before flashing a heart sign.
“You like that?” Clark asked.
“I like that you’re here. I like that you’re here,” Doyel replied.
“I do that at my family after every game, so,” Clark said.
“OK, well start doing that to me and we’ll get along just fine,” Doyel responded.
Doyel apologized for his interaction with Caitlin on social media. “Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming Caitlin Clark to Indy, I formed my hands into her signature [heart],” Doyel wrote. “My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. “Please know my heart (literally and figuratively) was well-intentioned. I will do better.”
He also stated that he was devastated and he realized that he was the problem in the situation. “After going through denial, and then anger — I’m on the wrong side of this? Me??? — I now realize what I said and how I said it was wrong, wrong, wrong,” Doyel wrote. “I mean it was just wrong. “Caitlin Clark, I’m so sorry.”