Key Takeaways:
– Gregg Doyel, a prolific Indianapolis Star columnist, has been suspended and will miss covering the upcoming Indiana Fever season.
– Doyel’s suspension is a response to his inappropriate comments directed at rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
– The incident happened during Clark’s debut press conference for the Fever.
– This decision has elicited mixed reactions among readers and followers of the Star.
Indianapolis Star columnist Gregg Doyel has earned a reputation for his extensive sports coverage over the years. However, his recent interpersonal gaffe has earned him a two-week suspension. Doyel will not report on Indiana Fever and its rookie star, Caitlin Clark when the new season starts on May 14, as reported by several media outlets.
Unexpected Turn for Doyel
Published reports indicate that Gannett, the company that owns Indianapolis Star, instigated the suspension. WISH News 8’s report on May 7 corroborated these details, highlighting that Doyel will not cover any of the Fever’s upcoming season games. Fox News 59 also confirmed the news.
This decision came after Doyel made some unsuitable remarks to Clark, raising eyebrows among the public and media fraternity.
Doyel and Clark’s Presser Encounter
The incident took place on April 17, during Clark’s debut press conference with the Fever. As the first overall selection of this year’s draft, Clark was answering various questions about her transition from the University of Iowa to the professional world.
The situation started when Doyel asked about a heart-shaped gesture that Clark makes with her hands, which she usually displays towards her family at the end of each game.
“Start doing it to me, and we’ll get along just fine,” Doyel had responded after the explanation – a remark which was considered inappropriate and offensive. Doyel later apologized for his comments in his column in the Star on April 18, admitting his remarks were “wrong, wrong, wrong.”
The Impact of the Appointment
The attention around the Fever and Caitlin Clark extends beyond this controversy. The team’s first preseason game has already sold out, indicative of what’s been dubbed the “Caitlin Clark Effect.”
According to ESPN, close to 19 million viewers watched Clark and Iowa take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the national championship. This viewership broke records, making it the most-watched college basketball game in history.
In her preseason debut with Indianapolis, Clark scored 21 points. She admitted her main objective for the night was to stay true to her aggressive gameplay.
Looking Ahead
After a successful preseason game and a controversy involving a well-known columnist, all eyes are now on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The regular season begins on May 14 and anticipations are high.