Gregg Doyel is a member of the sports media. Generally speaking, if you are a member of the sports media, you don’t want to find yourself in the headlines.
Doyel broke that cardinal rule this week.
For obvious reasons, his extremely cringey interview with Caitlin Clark set the internet ablaze on Wednesday:
@sluggahjells3 Indianapolis writer Gregg Doyel has a very awkward beginning moment with Caitlin Clark as he made a heart sign to her at her @Indiana Fever @WNBA debut press conference. 🤔😬🫥😑 #Tiktok #CaitlinClark #WTF #OMG #Ohdear #Clark #Indianapolis #Indiana #IndianaFever #WNBA #Sigh #Awkward #Basketball #Sports #Sport #Iowa #Ohdear #Wow #Wednesday #April #2024 #Spring #TV #Sigh ♬ original sound – SluggahJells3
Creepy Gregg Doyel made Caitlin Clark cringe@dandakich pic.twitter.com/h2FeFyytiI
— OutKick (@Outkick) April 18, 2024
Olivia Dunne’s Sister Julz Shares Provocative Coachella Photos https://t.co/lwQYxCjTxl
— Game 7 (@game7__) April 16, 2024
Understandably, not long after, he published a column apologizing.
“I’m devastated to realize I’m part of the problem. I screwed up Wednesday during my first interaction with No. 1 overall draft pick Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever,” he wrote.
“What I’ve learned is that I need to be more aware about how I talk to people – not just athletes. I realized that only after my exchange with Clark went viral and I navigated the first two stages of grief during a discussion with the people I care about the most.
“…After going through denial, and then anger – I’m on the wrong side of this? Me??? – I now realize what I said and how I said it was wrong, wrong, wrong. I mean it was just wrong. Caitlin Clark, I’m so sorry.”
Understandably, Doyel’s apology hasn’t calmed down those looking for him to be fired:
If Caitlin Clark gets Gregg Doyel fired she’s already the GOAT Indianapolis athlete.
— Damian Lillard is an alcoholic (@MailmanStalker) April 17, 2024
Caitlin Clark getting Gregg Doyel fired will already put her in the Mount Rushmore of Indy athletes
— Sam (@DJ_Sammy_Samrad) April 18, 2024
*
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯
Gregg Doyel
🕯 will get fired 🕯
by IndyStar
🕯 🕯
🕯 🕯— 🕯Isaac Romig 🕯 (@IsaacRomig1) April 18, 2024
Now it is decision time for the IndyStar. Are they going to stand by Doyel?
Or will he be made an example of?
One way or another, the IndyStar’s decision on Doyel will definitely influence their coverage of Clark going forward.
Related: Damian Lillard’s Ex-Wife, Kay’La, Mocks His Alleged New Girlfriend
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.