Columnist suspended following Caitlin Clark interaction

IndyStar sports columnist Gregg Doyel. Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Columnist suspended following controversial Caitlin Clark interaction

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/7/24

Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star has been serving a two-week suspension in the wake of his "clumsy and awkward " interaction with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark on April 17, according to a report by Bob Kravitz.

Kravitz also wrote on Tuesday that Doyel won't be covering any Fever games live this summer.

The Star's Gregg Doyel is in the middle of a two-week suspension after the Caitlin Clark press-conference controversy. He will not cover any Fever games live this summer. https://t.co/8fFN8CRQKG
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) May 7, 2024

During Clark's introductory news conference with Indiana, Doyel had a cringeworthy and much criticized moment when readying to ask the former Iowa star a question.

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

The columnist apologized on social media later that day and wrote a piece, apologizing directly to the No. 1 overall pick.

Kravitz noted Doyel's most recent column came on April 29, and he hasn't written anything since despite the Indiana Pacers currently playing the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks.

The suspension was given by both The Indianapolis Star and its owner, Gannett, per Kravitz's report.

While Doyel won't attend any Fever games during the 2024 campaign, he'll reportedly "continue to write columns off the team by watching TV from his home."

Kravitz wrote that, according to his sources, Doyel's suspension is expected to end on Monday.

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