Gannett’s Failure to Hold Gregg Doyel Accountable: A Stark Reminder of Journalism’s Double Standards
In the annals of sports journalism, few moments have captured the public's ire quite like Gregg Doyel’s controversial interview with Caitlin Clark in April 2024. Clark, fresh off her remarkable college career and poised to redefine the WNBA as a rookie with the Indiana Fever, faced an uncomfortable exchange with Doyel at her introductory press conference. His remarks—tinged with condescension and laced with personal overtures—felt wildly out of place, not just in tone but in ethics.
During that infamous moment, Doyel didn’t just ask questions. He gestured, joked, and all but inserted himself into the narrative. A particularly cringeworthy instance involved him suggesting that Clark should adopt a heart gesture during games—his heart gesture—because it would help them “get along just fine.” The press conference, which should have celebrated Clark’s monumental entry into professional basketball, was overshadowed by Doyel’s apparent inability to respect professional boundaries.
The public reaction was swift and unequivocal. Fans, journalists, and even some athletes expressed outrage over the blatant disregard for professionalism. What was less clear, however, was whether Gannett—the publishing giant behind the Indianapolis Star—would take meaningful action to address the incident. What followed was an exercise in damage control that ultimately left more questions than answers.
Gannett suspended Doyel for a mere two weeks. He was also barred from attending Indiana Fever games in person for the remainder of the season but was permitted to continue covering the team remotely. The punishment, if one can call it that, felt like a slap on the wrist—a token gesture rather than a sincere attempt to hold a veteran columnist accountable.
Looking back, this decision reflects a deeper issue plaguing media organizations: the double standard that often shields high-profile figures from the full consequences of their actions. Doyel’s prominence as a columnist likely played a significant role in the leniency he received. His misstep was framed as a lapse in judgment rather than the blatant display of unprofessionalism it truly was. By prioritizing Doyel’s status over ethical accountability, Gannett sent a clear message: talent and tenure outweigh respect and integrity.
This wasn’t just about one journalist overstepping boundaries; it was about an entire organization failing to confront a culture of entitlement and misogyny. The message to Caitlin Clark and women in sports everywhere was disheartening: even in moments meant to honor their achievements, their voices and experiences can be overshadowed by the egos of those who claim to amplify them.
What makes Gannett’s response particularly galling is its missed opportunity to lead by example. At a time when public trust in media is fragile, taking a firm stance against inappropriate behavior could have reinforced the company’s commitment to journalistic integrity. Instead, they chose the path of least resistance, prioritizing damage control over systemic change.
This retrospective raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: how many more incidents like this will it take for media corporations to enact real consequences for their star contributors? And at what point will women in sports—or any marginalized group—be able to trust that the platforms reporting on their achievements will treat them with the respect they deserve?
Gannett’s mishandling of this incident serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed to dismantle the old boys’ club of sports journalism. It’s not enough to issue apologies or implement temporary suspensions. True accountability requires a willingness to hold even the most high-profile journalists to the same standards expected of the profession as a whole. Anything less undermines not just the credibility of the publication but the very ideals of fairness and respect upon which journalism should stand.
The sports world, and the women who continue to blaze trails within it, deserve better. It’s time for media giants like Gannett to reflect not just on what they say they stand for, but on what their actions reveal. If they’re unwilling to act with integrity, perhaps it’s time for readers to hold them accountable instead.