INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) – IndyStar sports columnist Gregg Doyel will no longer cover the Indiana Fever after an awkward conversation with Caitlin Clark last month during the WNBA rookie’s introduction.
IndyStar spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton confirmed the newspaper’s decision in a statement sent Tuesday to Nexstar’s WXIN:
“Indianapolis Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel will not cover the Indiana Fever,” Anton said. “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on personnel issues or actions.”
The decision comes after Doyel had a self-described “stupid” and “weird” conversation with freshman sensation Clark on April 17 that subsequently went viral in the sports world and on social media.
Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, was being introduced to Indiana Fever fans and local media in what should have been a moment for the city’s latest sports star to shine. Instead, Doyel’s exchange with Clark quickly became the story.
Doyel, gathered with other reporters for the press conference, made Clark’s signature heart gesture with his hands. It’s something Clark has done for a long time, directing it towards his family.
“Do you like it?” Clark asked Doyel, who responded, “I like that you’re here.”
“I do this with my family after every game,” the basketball star explained.
Doyel replied, “Okay, well, start doing that with me and we’ll get along great.”
The comments went viral as Doyel became the focus of several news articles criticizing her exchange with the WNBA’s newest star.
HuffPost called it a “scary switch”; SBNation referred to this as a “scary question”; Complex weighed in with “bizarre and seductive observation”; Barstool Sports characterized Doyel as a “total creeper”; and Sports Illustrated opted for an “odd swap.”
After hours of accumulated criticism, Doyel posted on social media that, in “his uniquely idiotic way,” he made a “clumsy and awkward” comment to Clark. Then, later that night, Doyel posted a column on IndyStar titled: “Caitlin Clark, I’m Sorry. On Wednesday, I was part of the problem.”
The news that Doyel was barred from covering Clark and the Fever was first reported Tuesday by Bob Kravitz on his “Musings of an Old Sportswriter” Substack.
In his post, the former IndyStar sports writer broke the news that Doyel will no longer cover the Fever in person. Kravitz also wrote that Doyel is serving a 2-week suspension from writing at the Indianapolis Star — something WXIN was unable to confirm.
When asked for comment via his IndyStar email, Doyel’s account sent an automated response that read: “Hello. I’m getting tired here, so take some time off and don’t check email. If I can be of assistance when I return [sic] May 13th, please let me know then.”
WXIN also reached out to Gannett, the company that owns and operates the Indianapolis Star, for comment. A Gannett spokesperson provided the same statement as IndyStar officials.
