A year after Gregg Doyel appeared not to cover a single Indiana Fever game in person following his bizarre exchange with Caitlin Clark at her introductory press conference, the columnist has returned to a WNBA press box.

Doyel was in the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Fever’s first preseason game of the year against the Washington Mystics.

Doyel made headlines last April when he introduced himself to the former Iowa college hero by performing her famous heart-shaped hand gesture.

When a confused Clark asked if he liked her popular hand signal, Doyel replied: ‘Start doing it with me and we’ll get along just fine.’

Doyel was subsequently suspended for two weeks by his employer, the Indianapolis Star, and appeared not to attend a single Fever game in person during Clark’s rookie year.

The ban appears to be up, as Doyel posted a photo overlooking the court on Saturday, with his typical #columncoming hashtag when he is at an event to write about the proceedings.

 

The reporter who had an awkward exchange with Clark last year returned to cover the team

Doyel was in the crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Fever's first preseason game of 2025

Oddly enough, Clark did not play against the Mystics with a leg injury, which is believed to be preventative, as the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year was a game-time decision.

On Doyel’s post to X before the start of Mystics-Fever, he turned off the comments, with those replying to his presence near Clark for the first time in over a year needing to quote his post to convey any message.

‘Ugh I liked it better when he was banned,’ one fan replied.

‘And still John Haliburton remains unable to watch his son, who would willingly make heart symbols back. #FreeJohnHaliburton and #BanGreggDoyel,’ another person stated.

The Star, nor the Fever, have commented on Doyel’s status, with his social-media message proof enough there is no more limitations to his Fever coverage