The sports reporter at the center of an awkward controversy at Caitlin Clark’s press conference is facing even more backlash after writing an apology column to the basketball star.
Indy Star columnist Gregg Doyel went viral on Wednesday after imitating the former Iowa star’s heart-shaped hand gesture to his face, before saying, “Start doing it with me and we’ll get along.” .
Doyel subsequently received a lot of criticism online, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy even labeling him a “sexist pervert” and “nauseous” in a series of scathing tweets.
Doyle then responded with a tweet (and column) of his own, but has now received more abuse online after his apology struck the wrong tone among fans.
On
Caitlin Clark was at the center of a strange interaction at her first press conference in Indiana.
Indy Star reporter Gregg Doyel was branded a ‘sexist pervert’ for his comments to the player.
Doyel wrote an apology column, but fans criticized him for trying to get clicks on his website.
Fans urged him to resign and criticized him for trying to generate clicks from his apology.
Another added: “The original tweet wasn’t enough, you had to turn it into an article to get clicks.” Just resign. Please.’
Meanwhile, a user called ‘Doctor Disney’ wrote: ‘Stop it man. Arrest. Writing a hit column after apologizing on Twitter doesn’t say much about your sincerity. ‘He Says: “I know this column will probably get a lot of views as everyone is angry about my actions.” Arrest.’
One basketball fan was offended by the apology itself, writing: ‘Gregg, with all due respect, your apology still misses much of the point and “that’s just how I am” is not an excuse for anyone over the age of 5. years.’
In the column, Doyel admits he “messed up” and insists he is “known locally for having uncomfortable conversations with people.”
He then adds that he initially denied it and “didn’t do anything wrong,” before realizing he was “ignorant” and had “learned that I need to be more aware of how I talk to people.”
Doyel ends his column with a new apology to Clark, stating, “I now realize that what I said and how I said it was wrong, wrong, wrong.” I mean it was just wrong. Caitlin Clark, I’m so sorry.
Doyel is a longtime Star reporter and told readers he is “known” for his awkward interactions.
The gesture Clark makes at the end of games is seen here, with the former Iowa star smiling
Meanwhile, Portnoy was not alone in his initial fury over Doyel’s comments, as several other prominent industry voices publicly took issue with the journalist’s comments.
CBS Sports’ Katie Mox said, “What happened to Caitlin Clark today at her first press conference in Indy was truly disgusting.”
CBC Sports senior contributor Shireen Ahmed even suggested that Doyel should be stripped of his credentials.
“Almost all of my sports media and sports journalism colleagues and students share that clip of Gregg Doyel and Caitlin Clark with disgust,” Ahmed wrote on X.
‘We are, rightly, furious and fed up. Her credentials should be revoked and offered to an untitled journalist who respects women.
The interest in Clark has given the Fever a chance to completely change the trajectory of their franchise, similar to how LeBron James elevated the Cleveland Cavaliers during his two seasons with the team.
And while the Fever wanted Clark’s message of helping the team return to the postseason to be the lasting message, his exchange with Doyel could unfortunately prevail.
Clark was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Clark has already signed lucrative deals with companies like State Farm and Gatorade.
It’s also not the first controversy involving Clark since she was drafted on Monday night, with fans also reacting furiously to her Indiana Fever salary.
While the male equivalent of the first overall pick, Victor Wembanyama, earned $12,160,680 in his first NBA season, Clark will earn just $76,535 in his first year.
Even President Joe Biden has weighed in on the news, demanding that WNBA players receive “their fair share.”
‘Women in sport continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. But now we’re seeing that even if you’re the best, women don’t get their fair share,” Biden wrote in a post on X.
Clark’s performance on the basketball court during this year’s NCAA tournament fascinated the nation, and Iowa Hawkeyes games broke viewership records.
For the first time, the NCAA women’s basketball championship attracted more spectators than the men’s game.
ESPN announced that 2.45 million people tuned in to watch the Indiana Fever select Clark with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft, crushing the previous viewership record of just over 601,000.
Even President Biden weighed in on X and called for women to be “paid what they deserve.”
Clark signs autographs for fans at the WNBA Draft in Brooklyn on Monday night
But while all eyes are on Clark, she will make less money in the first year of her WNBA contract than some NBA mascots.
Clark will earn $338,056 over the course of his four years at Indiana.
He will sign a three-year contract with the option of a fourth year.
Clark would earn $76,535 in the first year. That increases to $78,066 in the second year and $85,873 in the third year. If he takes the fourth year, he would earn $97,582.