Report: Gregg Doyel suspended following Caitlin Clark interaction, won't cover Indiana Fever games

Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel won’t be able to ask Caitlin Clark any more questions in person this season after squandering his first chance.

Longtime Indianapolis sports writer Bob Kravitz broke the news Tuesday that Doyel has been barred from covering Indiana Fever games in person due to an interaction he had with Clark at her introductory press conference. The Washington Post later confirmed Kravitz’s report.

Additionally, Doyel is reportedly in the midst of serving a two-week suspension without pay. He has not written a column for the Star since April 29 and is expected to return on Monday.

Although Doyel will not be allowed to cover Fever games in person, Kravtiz wrote that he will continue to write columns about the team and watch games from his home.

Doyel received backlash on social media after many interpreted his behavior toward Clark in her initial press conference as inappropriate. He began his question by forming a heart shape with his hands at the No. 1 overall pick, a gesture she often makes toward her family after games.

“You like that?” Clark asked in response.

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

“Yeah, I do that to my family after every game,” Clark replied.

“Well start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine,” Doyel answered back.

Doyel later wrote a column apologizing for his actions after the interaction went viral, referring to his actions as “clumsy and awkward.” He did not respond to comment when The Post reached out to him.

Clark’s WNBA debut has been highly anticipated following her storied college career at Iowa. She led the Hawkeyes to back-to-back appearances in the national championship while setting the NCAA’s all-time scoring record.

Clark is also credited with sparking an unprecedented interest in women’s basketball, which shattered several records for viewership this past season. The national title game between Iowa and South Carolina set a new record as 18.9 million people tuned in.

Many are hopeful that she can bring the same level of attention with her to the pros. She played her first preseason game on Friday, dropping 21 points and making five 3-pointers.

Clark is set to make her regular season debut on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. It will mark a historic moment both for the sport and the state of Indiana, but one of the most well-known sports writers in the state will have to watch from home.