Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel barred from covering Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever. Read why

Gregg Doyel, the Indianapolis Star sports columnist, has been barred from covering Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever of the Women National Basketball Association (WNBA). The news was confirmed by the Washington Post citing an email from the Star.

“Indianapolis Star sports columnist Gregg Doyel will not be covering the Indiana Fever,” Indianapolis Star spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton wrote in the email as reported by The Post.

Also Read:Playoffs: Boston Celtics beat Cavaliers, Thunder rout Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of conference semis

The decision was taken following an awkward exchange between Doyel and Clark at a press conference on 17th April after Clark was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA 2024 draft. Here's how the conversation went down:

“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 in reply.

“I like that you’re here. I like that you’re here,” Doyel replied back.

“I do that at my family after every game, so,” Clark said back.

“OK, well start doing that to me and we’ll get along just fine,” Doyel said in the end.

The comments drew huge flak for Doyel from not only fans but his ilk as well after which he issued an apology on the social media.

“Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming Caitlin Clark to Indy, I formed my hands into her signature [heart],” Doyel wrote on the social media. “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 added.

Doyel further apologized to Clark in a column as well, writing: "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. I mean it was just wrong. Caitlin Clark, I’m so sorry."

Nonetheless, Doyel won't be covering the games in person in the upcoming season. Clark, meanwhile, will play her second preseason game for the Fever on May 14 after making her debut on May 3.