Caitlin Clark was introduced to Indiana for the primary time as a member of the Fever on Wednesday when the No. 1 draft pick joined general manager Lin Dunn and coach Christie Sides for a media meeting at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The reception that awaited Clark dwarfed any audience that has covered the Fever in recent memory, as can be the case for many of their debuts within the WNBA.
Distinguished media in attendance included Gregg Doyel, an award-winning columnist for the Indianapolis Star. When it was his turn to ask Clark a matter, Doyel made a heart gesture together with his hands toward her, which Clark recognized because the sign she gave her family after every game. This gesture became related to Clark and was featured in certainly one of her State Farm commercials. When Clark made the association, Doyel replied, “Start doing it with me and we'll get along just fine.”
Reporter: 🫶
Caitlin Clark: “Do you like that?”
Reporter: “I like that you’re here.”
Caitlin: “Yes, I do that after every game with my family.”
Reporter: “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”
Caitlin: 😳
(above @IndianaFever / YT)pic.twitter.com/BBjU881K7a
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 17, 2024
The response to Doyle's comments was swift and unfavorable. There was near universal agreement that what Doyel said was inappropriate, disrespectful to Clark and customarily unpleasant. The uproar was so overwhelming that Doyel was forced to precise remorse for his comments. Write to X“My comment afterwards was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. Please know that my heart was well-intentioned (literally and figuratively). I'll do higher.”
Doyel too wrote a column in the Indianapolis Star apologizing to Clark for the interaction.
As Clark's star moves to the WNBA, she inadvertently shines a light on a press corps that has been fairly sparse due to relatively little media investment in women's basketball. As a result, reporters who have no experience covering women's sports are parachuting in to become part of the Clark phenomenon, which will lead to growing pains as they learn about women's basketball. But that doesn't excuse a lack of tact when dealing with WNBA athletes. The league and its teams need to develop a more robust system for certifying reporters as interest in the game increases. However, the media itself has a responsibility to treat players with respect and professionalism. This bar was not hit Wednesday in Indianapolis.
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image credit : theathletic.com