It was this past Monday that Caitlin Clark was the No. 1 pick of the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft. It’s no surprise that the star guard went first in a stacked class after her record-setting performance with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
As one of the new faces of the WNBA, Clark took center stage during her introductory press conference in Indiana on Wednesday.
Well, at least we thought she would be the primary story as local and national media packed Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the presser.
Instead, that “honor” went to reporter Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star. He had a majorly awkward exchange with Clark to open the press conference. It was not a great look for Doyel or men in general when it comes to covering women’s sports.
Clark was talking about how she gives the heart symbol to her family after games. Doyel decided to take his time to be an absolute creep in the conversation. Watch the video above and tells us something different.
Related: Golfer Paige Spiranac Defends Caitlin Clark – ‘Women Can Be Absolutely Vicious’
Gregg Doyel Rightfully Ripped For Awkward Q&A With Caitlin Clark
Let’s just look at this in general terms. Clark and others have certainly faced this type of attitude during their careers in high school and the college ranks. We won’t go as far to call it a machismo culture. But there is a sense of overall awkwardness when it comes to men covering women’s sports. These types of interactions only add a layer to that narrative.
It was just recently that enigmatic media figure Jason Whitlock urged Clark to stay at Iowa rather than deal with the “nastiness” of the WNBA.
While this is not what Whitlock had in mind, Doyel’s interaction with Clark left him on the receiving end of a ton of criticism. After all, this is not the way Clark wanted her professional career to officially start.
Doyel did offer somewhat of an apology after he noticed social media was turning on the veteran Indy scribe. Said apology was also awkward.
Overall, responses to what we saw from Doyel in Indianapolis Wednesday were not great.
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