Reporter apologizes to Caitlin Clark for cringe moment during Indiana Fever star’s introductory press conference: ‘My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward’
- A reporter imitated Clark’s hand gesture, where she makes a heart to end the matches
- The response to the exchange has been branded creepy and classless by the reporter
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A journalist has apologized after his “awkward and uncomfortable” comments to Caitlin Clark caused a chilling moment during the WNBA star’s introductory press conference in Indiana.
On Wednesday, Clark had an awkward conversation with Gregg Doyel after mimicking the celebratory hand gesture Clark gives to her family after every game, placing her hands in the shape of a heart.
‘I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re here,” the reporter 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.
“Today in my uniquely silly way, as I welcomed @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I cupped my hands in her signature,” the reporter said wrote on X later on Wednesday.
‘My comment afterwards was clumsy and uncomfortable. My sincere apologies. Please know that my heart (literally and figuratively) meant well. I’ll do better.’
Clark looked shocked as he spoke to a reporter during Wednesday’s news conference
The gesture Clark makes at the end of games can be seen here, as the former Iowa star smiles
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.
The reporter, Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star, 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 Indiana 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.