BREAKING: NFL Reporter Who Made Inappropriate Comments To Caitlin Clark During Press Conference Receives Stiff Punishment

Caitlin Clark laughingCaitlin Clark (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
The reporter who was widely criticized for his inappropriate comments to new Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during her introductory press conference last month has been punished by the Indianapolis Star.

Gregg Doyel is in the middle of a two-week suspension by the paper, with the Star and its owners, Gannett, handing it out.

Doyel has also been banned from attending Fever games this year, though he will continue to write team columns by watching from television, according to Bob Kravitz.

The reporter made Caitlin Clark’s first Fever presser very uncomfortable when he unashamedly made a pass at her by making the “heart hands” gesture she made to her family and young fans during college to her.

“Hi Caitlin, Gregg Doyel Indy Star,” he said before performing the gesture.

 

“You like that?” she responded.

“I like that you’re here,” he remarked, making things very awkward

“I do it to my family after every game…pretty cool,” Clark explained.

“Do it to me, and we’ll get along just fine,” Doyel suggested.

Also Read: Reporter Labeled ‘Sexist Perv’ Over Caitlin Clark Interaction Apologizes, While Fans Call For Him To Be Fired

Check out the exchange in the video below:

Gregg Doyel’s Suspension Was Supposed To Be Quiet

Doyel declined to comment when he was contacted on Tuesday, opting to skirt the issue and prepare for a visit to his son.

Sources note he will return to work next Monday.

The reporter last had a piece about the Indianapolis Colts published on April 29 and hasn’t written a single word since then.

The Star wanted to keep the suspension a secret, but that would have been hard to do given that he’s a lead columnist who just vanished after an awkward exchange with the most popular athlete in the nation, especially while the Indiana Pacers are playing in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

VIDEO: Reporter Gets Destroyed For Asking Caitlin Clark The Most Cringeworthy Question Before Her WNBA Debut

Caitlin Clark during interviewCaitlin Clark (Photo via Indiana Fever/YouTube)
Caitlin Clark has yet to play a WNBA game in the regular season, and reporters cannot seem to keep themselves from saying weird things to her.

Caitlin Clark made her long-awaited WNBA debut on Friday night for the Indiana Fever, even though it was just for preseason.

She was asked before the game whether any family members would be in attendance, but Clark said she’s “flying solo.”

Then things got awkward.

Before Clark made her debut, a reporter took her by surprise by inquiring about her “bae,” or boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, going to the game. For those who do not know, “bae” is a phrase used to refer to a significant other that is short for “babe” or “baby.”

Reporter: “Is bae gonna be here?”

 

Caitlin Clark: “Huh, no. He’s working… I’m flying solo. Guess I better get used to it, right?”?

Fans took to the comment section as well as the quotes to put that reporter on blast:

Columnist Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star drew criticism a little over two weeks ago for what he called a “clumsy and awkward” exchange with Clark, during which he made a heart gesture and said she ought to do it to him.

Also Read: WNBA Accused Of Racism After Perplexing Decision On Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese Debuts

She’s been a tremendous on-court athlete with Iowa and is now set to be one of the best young players with the Indiana Fever in the league, and yet the reporters who are tasked with covering her are making things incredibly awkward.

Caitlin Clark Showed Nothing Will Change During Preseason WNBA Debut

Caitlin Clark (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark scored 21 points in her WNBA debut with the Indiana Fever and quickly showed her talent is certainly going to translate to the pros.

Clark had a good game, but the Dallas Wings prevailed 79-76 in the preseason opener for both teams. Clark shot 6-for-15 from the field, including 5-of-13 on 3-pointers, via ESPN.com.

The Fever as well as the league should be excited about what they saw.