Dave Portnoy joins ‘furious’ backlash after Caitlin Clark is caught in ‘gross’ exchange with ‘sexist pervert’ during Indiana Fever star’s press conference

Dave Portnoy, along with fans and media members, reacted negatively to a reporter whose comments led to an awkward interaction with Caitlin Clark during her introductory press conference in Indianapolis.

After being selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft, the former Iowa star faced the media in Indianapolis on Wednesday. During presser, Indy Star Sports’ Gregg Doyel imitated Clark’s heart-hands gesture as the situation quickly turned cringe-inducing.

Following the incident, Barstool Sports’ chief turned to X and urged the publication to take action.

“Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever career kicks off with Gregg Doyel as the sexiest pervert at the introductory press conference,” Portnoy wrote with a link to Barstool’s story about the exchange. “@IndyStarSports do something about this pervert.”

“To clarify, I wanted to call Gregg Doyle a sexist pervert. He bases that on his sickening actions today,” Portnoy wrote in a repost of his tweet.

Clark looked shocked as she spoke to a reporter during her first press conference in Indiana

The Fever star got into an awkward exchange with Doyel after he imitated the celebratory heart-hand gesture Clark gives to her family after every match.

‘I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re here,” Doyel said, to which Clark replied, “I do that with my family after every game.” Doyel further said, “Okay. Listen, start doing it to me so we can get along,” before asking his question.

Later on Wednesday, Doyel apologized for his actions after clips of their conversation went viral.

“Today, in my uniquely silly way, while welcoming @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I molded my hands into her signature,” he said wrote on X.

‘My comment afterwards was clumsy and uncomfortable. My sincere apologies. Please know that my heart (literally and figuratively) meant well. I’ll do better.’

The gesture Clark makes at the end of games can be seen here, as the former Iowa star smiles

Clark was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft

Clark, taken aback by the reporter’s gesture and trying to make a good first impression with her new team, was kind but clearly not amused and said, “You like that?” upon seeing the gesture.

Clark, with a shocked look on her face, didn’t know what to make of the last comment and continued the press conference.

Doyel has been criticized online for the interaction, with some calling for the Fever to revoke his credentials over the exchange.

The interest in Clark has caused the Fever to completely change the trajectory of their franchise, similar to how LeBron James took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the next level during his two stints with the team.

And while the Fever wanted Clark’s message of helping the team return to the postseason to be a lasting message, her conversation with Doyel may unfortunately get the better of her.