Following an uncomfortable interaction at a press conference, a columnist for the Indianapolis Star, Gregg Doyel, issued an apology to Caitlin Clark, the newly drafted player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. During Clark’s introductory news conference, Doyel, selected to ask a question, mimicked Clark’s signature heart sign, a gesture synonymous with her illustrious college career at Iowa.
Clark, noticing the gesture, inquired if Doyel appreciated the sign, to which he replied, “I like that you’re here.” Clark revealed she traditionally flashed the heart sign to her family after games. Doyel then remarked, “OK, well start doing that to me and we’ll get along just fine,” eliciting no response from Clark.
The incident drew swift criticism from journalists and fans alike on social media platforms. Veteran ESPN writer Don Van Natta Jr. described Doyel’s remarks as antiquated and out of touch, while Dana O’Neil of The Athletic questioned whether Doyel would have employed the same banter with a male athlete in the NBA.
Subsequently, Doyel publicly apologized first on social media and then in a column for the Star. He acknowledged his tendency for awkward interactions with athletes, both male and female, but stressed that it was not an excuse. Reflecting on feedback from a respected colleague, Doyel recognized his ignorance in failing to acknowledge the different dynamics in communicating with young women athletes compared to their male counterparts.
Clark, celebrated for her record-breaking college career at Iowa, has recently been in the spotlight for her contributions to the NCAA women’s final, which drew in more viewers than the men’s championship game. Additionally, reports surfaced from The Athletic indicating that Clark is on the brink of securing a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike, potentially including a signature shoe, highlighting her rising star status in the sports world.
