A sports reporter who was called out for comments he made to WNBA star Caitlin Clark has now had to face the music.
The incident unfolded during a press conference where the Indiana Fever introduced Clark, the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft, per News.com.au.
Reporter Gregg Doyel for the Indianapolis Star drew attention when he made a heart gesture towards Clark, mimicking a gesture she often made towards her family during her college basketball days at Iowa.
Clark responded to Doyel's gesture with a question: “You like that?”
To which Doyel replied: “I like that you’re here, I like that you’re here.”
Clarifying the gesture, Clark explained it was directed at her family. Doyel then responded: “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”
Since the incident, Doyel has not published any stories, missing important events like Clark’s preseason debut, the Pacers' victory over the Bucks in the NBA playoffs, and the beginning of their series against the Knicks.
Following the widely criticized interaction, Doyel penned an apology column expressing remorse for his actions: “I now realize what I said and how I said it was wrong, wrong, wrong. I mean it was just wrong. Caitlin Clark, I’m so sorry.”
His behavior drew sharp criticism from various quarters. Some basketball commentators labeled it as “gross,” while fellow journalists and media personalities, including Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, voiced their disapproval.
Writing on X, Portnoy said: "To clarify I meant to call Gregg Doyle [sic] a sexist pervert. Which he is based on his nauseating actions today."
Doyel has been suspended for two weeks, as reported by longtime Indianapolis sportswriter Bob Kravitz. As part of the disciplinary measures, he will be prohibited from attending Clark’s rookie games this season, instead tasked with covering them remotely for opinion pieces.
Details regarding whether the suspension is paid or unpaid have not been disclosed, according to The New York Post.
Shireen Ahmed, a senior contributor at CBC Sports, went further, advocating for the revocation of Doyel's credentials.
“Almost every one of my women colleagues & students in sport media and sports journalism are sharing that clip of Gregg Doyel and Caitlin Clark with disgust. We are rightly furious and fed up. His creds should be revoked and offered to an unentitled journalist who respects women," she wrote on X.
She went on: "In my classes, I reiterate that journalists make mistakes. I certainly have. We fall short. And we learn and do better. But douchebaggery or tw*twafflery are not acceptable reasons to err. Arrogance destroys integrity."
