The Indianapolis Star has announced that sports columnist Greg Doyle will be covering WNBA rookie Kaitlyn Clark and the Indiana Fever this summer following an exchange with her at her induction press conference. was prohibited.
The Star confirmed the decision in an email to The Washington Post on Tuesday. Report by journalist and former Star columnist Bob Kravitz.
“Indianapolis Star sports columnist Greg Doyle will not be reporting on the Indiana Fever,” Star spokeswoman Lark Marie Anton wrote in an email to the Post.
Kravitz also reported that Doyle has been suspended for two weeks. The Star did not confirm his suspension, but the Post, citing sources familiar with the situation, said Doyle was indeed suspended without pay.
Mr Doyle referred to the Star when asked for comment.
Why Doyle was banned from interviewing Clark
The reported suspension stems from an exchange with Clark during an April 17 press conference with the Fever after Doyle was selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft. During the awkward exchange, Doyle flashed a heart symbol with both hands at Clark.
“Hey Caitlin, Greg Doyle, Indy Star. “Really quick, let me do this,” Doyle said to Clark before flashing a heart sign.
“Do you like it?” Clark asked.
“I like you here. I'm glad you're here,” Doel replied.
“I do that with my family after every game,” Clark said.
“Okay, then just start doing that to me and we'll get on with it,” Doel replied.
Doyle's comments and exchanges drew widespread condemnation from members of the media and ultimately led to Doyle issuing an apology on social media.
“Today, in my signature O-Fish way, I welcomed Caitlin Clark to Indy while making her signature with both hands. [heart],” Doel wrote. “My subsequent comments were clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize.
“Please know that my heart was well-intentioned (literally and figuratively). I will do better.”
He later apologized further to Clark in a column, saying he was “devastated to know that I too was part of the problem.”
“After going through the denial and anger, am I on the wrong side about this? Me? Now I realize what I said and it's wrong, wrong, wrong.” “I understand how you said that you are,” Doel wrote. “I mean, it was just mistaken.
“Caitlin Clark, I'm so sorry.”
Clark has not addressed the situation publicly, and the WNBA declined to comment for the post on Tuesday.
IndyStar Sports Voice won't feature Caitlin Clark
Doyle is a longtime columnist for the Star and a prominent member of the Indianapolis sports media. He is currently banned from directly reporting on one of the biggest stories in the city and in all sports. He will be allowed to write about the team, but will not be allowed to directly cover games or team events, the paper said.
Clark established himself as the University of Iowa's all-time leading scorer in college basketball and rose to national prominence. She was instrumental in the explosive growth of women's basketball, leading to a dramatic increase in television ratings. Her arrival in the WNBA alongside fellow high-profile rookies is expected to further increase her interest in a league that is already in her formative years.
Clark made his preseason debut Friday against the Fever, scoring a game-high 21 points while making 5 of 13 3-pointers. The Fever is scheduled to open the regular season on May 14th against the Connecticut Sun.
