- A second exchange between Clark and Doyel has sparked outrage following another incident
- READ: Reporter Branded a ‘Sexist Pervert’ Over Awkward Caitlin Clark Interaction
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Indy Star columnist Gregg Doyel actually asked some creepy questions during Wednesday’s press conference with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark.
In addition to requesting that Clark make heart-shaped hand gestures to him before games — a comment that sparked national outrage — Doyel also referred to the WNBA sensation as “that” and “it” during a question aimed at
“You’ve just been given the keys to that,” he told Fever coach Christie Sides. ‘What are you going to do with it?’
Sides responded by humanizing Clark instead of treating her as an inanimate object: “Hopefully we’ll win a lot of games to be in the lead role. She will help us with that.’
Spokespeople for the Indy Star and its parent company, Gannett, did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment Thursday morning.
Caitlin Clark (left) and Fever coach Christie Sides were left stunned by Gregg Doyel
Doyel, a father of two, is a columnist for the Indy Star. He previously worked for CBS Sports
The gesture Clark makes at the end of games can be seen here, as the former Iowa star smiles
The headline of Wednesday’s press conference was the difficult discussion Clark went through with Doyel.
He started by imitating the celebratory hand gesture Clark gives to her family after each game in which she makes the shape of a heart with her hands.
“I do that with my family after every game,” Clark said.
Doyel then made the most regrettable comment of the press conference: “Okay, listen, just do it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”
Doyel has since apologized online.
“Today in my uniquely silly way, as I welcomed @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I cupped my hands in her signature,” the reporter 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.’
Gregg Doyel has apologized on social media and in a column since Wednesday’s incident
Dave Portnoy labeled Gregg Doyel a ‘sexist pervert’ after Caitlin Clark’s press conference
Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy has since branded Doyel a ‘sexist pervert’ and demanded his employer take action.
“Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever career begins with Gregg Doyel as the sexiest pervert at the introductory press conference,” Portnoy wrote. “@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 later added.