One reporter could not have been more creepy toward Caitlin Clark Wednesday during her introductory press conference with the Indiana Fever.
It’s safe to say that her fans and even casual observers online were not happy with the interaction.
Caitlin Clark Had Awkward Exchange With Indy Star Reporter
Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel could not have been weirder with his first-ever question for Clark as a member of the Indiana Fever.
Doyel started off innocently enough. Before beginning his query, he made Clark’s famous hand-heart gesture toward her. Then things took a turn.
Caitlin Clark: “You like that?”
Doyel: “I like that you’re here.”
Caitlin: “Yeah, I do that at my family after every game.”
Doyel: “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”
Reporter: 🫶
Caitlin Clark: "You like that?"
Reporter: "I like that you're here."
Caitlin: "Yeah, I do that at my family after every game.”
Reporter: "Start doing it to me and we'll get along just fine."
Caitlin: 😳
(via @IndianaFever / YT)pic.twitter.com/BBjU881K7a
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 17, 2024
Doyel received backlash online, prompting the reporter to apologize for his “oafish” behavior toward Clark.
“Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming Caitlin Clark 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.”
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
Fans Roast Reporter For Being Creepy Toward Caitlin Clark
The apology didn’t spare Doyel from getting dunked on by Clark’s supporters on social media. The reactions online were vehemently against any sort of disrespect toward Clark — or any woman — in such a situation.
Gregg Doyel. pic.twitter.com/pNUn8Ink0N
— playoff paint (@nba_paint) April 17, 2024
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.— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) April 17, 2024
Gregg Doyel is a stage 5 clinger confirmed
— Jake “JBOY” Crain (@JakeCrain_) April 18, 2024
Gregg Doyel was incredibly sexist and engaged in commentary that is a pure form of harassment towards Caitlin Clark, a 22 year old young woman. Until we all call this exactly what it is – harassment – the repercussions will never follow
— Dr. Lindsey Darvin (@DrLindseyDarvin) April 18, 2024
I don't know Gregg Doyel personally. But I've followed him on here for years. He's the *star columnist* for IndyStar, a pulitzer-prize winning pub that helped bring down Larry Nassar.
And he thought it was OK to ask that, and then wasn't ashamed, he went on tweeting afterwards!
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) April 17, 2024
Some fans online even called for Doyel’s credentials to be outright revoked for his bizarre exchange with Clark.
I would totally understand if the Fever revoked Gregg Doyel’s credentials for this creepy back and forth with Caitlin. https://t.co/n52jrEc6tv
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) April 17, 2024
It remains to be seen if any action will be taken toward Doyel going forward. But let’s not allow one weird reporter to take away from Clark’s first days as a WNBA star and face of the Fever franchise.