In a major development, Reporter & Columnist Gregg Doyel on Tuesday was banned from covering WNBA star Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever this summer. Gregg Doyel's ban came days after his comment and gesture on Caitlin Clark were labeled inappropriate by many on social media. As per longtime Indianapolis Star reporter Bob Kravitz, the Indiana Star and its owners, Gannett, handed Doyell a two-week suspension without pay following the exchange with Clark during her debut press conference with the Indiana Fever on April 17. However, Doyell will continue to write columns on the Fever this season, but will not attend any of the team's games in person, which will also remove him from the press conferences with players after games. Now, the question arises who is Gregg Doyel and what did he say to Caitlin Clark? Below is everything you need to know-
Who is Gregg Doyel?
As mentioned above, Gregg Doyel is a Sports Columnist for the Indianapolis Star. Before this, Gregg Doyel worked as a Sports writer for CBSSports.com. As per reports, Gregg Doyell has won 16 APSE Top 10 awards since 2007, eight for columns, including firsts in 2014, '17, '19 and '22. In 2023 he was named one of the 250 most influential business leaders in Indiana by the Indianapolis Business Journal.
Born in Hawaii, Doyell grew up in Mississippi. His father was a law professor at the University of Mississippi. Doyell attended high school in Georgia and attended college at the University of Florida. At Stratford Academy in Macon, Georgia, he was named all-state twice in baseball (1987, 1988) for coaches Bubber Adams and Bobby Henley, and once in soccer (1986) for coach Sharad Apte.
Gregg Doyel ban reason
Gregg Doyel is facing a ban due to his inappropriate comments and gestures at the Indianapolis Star's rookie Caitlin Clark. The incident took place during Caitlin Clark's first press conference. Below is an excerpt of Caitlin Clark's press conference-
"Hi, Caitlin, Gregg Doyell, Indy Star. Real quick, let me do this,” Doyell said to Clark before flashing a heart sign.
"You like that?" Clark asked.
"I like that you’re here. I like that you’re here," Doyell replied.
"I do that at my family after every game, so," Clark said.
"OK, well start doing that to me and we’ll get along just fine," Doyell responded.
After a massive social media uproar, Gregg issued an apology. However, Gregg was quoted by a portal saying, "I didn’t do anything wrong! I gave Caitlin her signature heart-shaped hand gesture as a way of introducing myself and welcoming her to town! I did this during a nationally televised press conference! What kind of idiot acts creepy on national television! (Me.) "
Finally, to settle down everything, Gregg reportedly posted on his social media handle saying, "Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming Caitlin Clark to Indy, I formed my hands into her signature [heart]...My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize...Please know my heart (literally and figuratively) was well-intentioned. I will do better."
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