Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel has been given a two-week suspension for his awkward interaction with Indiana Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark at a press conference.
“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,” Bob Kravitz wrote on his Substack.
“He will not attend any Fever games this summer but will continue to write columns off the team by watching TV from his home.
“Doyel, who was reached Tuesday morning, wouldn’t address the issue, choosing to lay low and prepare for a trip to visit his son.
“According to sources, he is expected to return this Monday.”
Doyel awkwardly addressed Clark – the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft – during her introductory press conference, telling her that they’d get along if she did her signature heart gesture with her hands (meant for her family) towards him.
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
The columnist apologized on social media for his comments, insisting that his comments were “well-intentioned.”
Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I formed my hands into her signature 🫶. My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. Please know my heart (literally and figuratively) was well-intentioned. I will do better.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) April 17, 2024
Doyel has not had a piece published since April 29 despite the Indiana Pacers being in the midst of a playoff run in the Eastern Conference.
“The Star had hoped to keep this under wraps, but it’s hard to hide the fact a lead columnist at a major metro has disappeared just weeks after an uncomfortable and unfortunate give-and-take with Clark at a significant press conference,” Kravitz wrote.
It appears that once Doyel’s suspension is up, he will still be able to write about the Fever this season despite not attending any of their games.
The Fever are hoping that Clark can turn around the franchise after seven straight seasons of missing the playoffs. Indiana won 13 games in the 2023 season, just the second time in seven seasons that it cracked double-digit victories.
Prior to this seven-season downturn, Indiana had been one of the WNBA’s premier franchises, reaching the Finals in the 2015 season and Eastern Conference Finals in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Fever won the title in the 2012 season, the only championship in the franchise’s history.
Clark, who starred at the University of Iowa in college, appeared in her first preseason game on May 3 against the Dallas Wings.
The rookie guard led the team with 21 points on 6-of-15 shooting (5-of-13 from beyond the arc) and added three rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 79-76 loss.
Clark and the Fever begin their regular season schedule on Tuesday, May 14 against the Connecticut Sun.
Hopefully, Clark can have a strong season for the Fever and leave the awkward interaction with Doyel behind for good.
