Dave Portnoy criticized a journalist whose remarks resulted in an awkward exchange with Caitlin Clark during her debut press conference in Indianapolis.

Following her selection as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA Draft, the former Iowa standout met with the media on Wednesday.

During the press conference, Gregg Doyel from Indy Star Sports mimicked Clark’s heart-hands gesture and said, ‘Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.’

After the incident, the head of Barstool Sports expressed his disapproval on X and called for the publication to take measures against Doyel.

‘Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever Career Begins With Gregg Doyel Being A sexiest pervert at Introductory Press Conference,’ Portnoy wrote. ‘@IndyStarSports do something about this pervert.’

‘To clarify I meant to call Gregg Doyle a sexist pervert. Which he is based on his nauseating actions today,’ Portnoy added later.

Dave Portnoy labelled Gregg Doyel a ‘sexist pervert’ after Caitlin Clark’s press conference

Dave Portnoy labelled Gregg Doyel a ‘sexist pervert’ after Caitlin Clark’s press conference

To clarify I meant to call Gregg Doyle a sexist pervert.

Which he is based on his nauseating actions today. — Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) April 17, 2024

Clark looked shocked at the exchange with a reporter during her first presser in Indiana

A reporter sends a “🫶” at Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark: “I do that at my family after every game.”

Reporter: “Start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine.”

Other prominent voices took issue with the reporter’s comments, including CBC Sports senior contributor Shireen Ahmed. She even suggested Doyel should be stripped of his credentials.

‘Almost every one of my women colleagues & students in sport media and sports journalism are sharing that clip of Gregg Doyel and Caitlin Clark with disgust,’ Ahmed wrote on X. ‘We are rightly furious and fed up. His creds should be revoked and offered to an unentitled journalist who respects women.’

Katie Mox of CBS Sports, meanwhile, added: ‘What happened to Caitlin Clark today at her first press conference in Indy was really gross. I hope she gets an apology.’

The Fever star endured an awkward exchange with Doyel after he imitated the celebratory heart-hands gesture Clark gives to her family after every game.

The gesture Clark does at the end of games is seen here, with the former Iowa star smiling

The gesture Clark does at the end of games is seen here, with the former Iowa star smiling

‘I like that you’re here. I like that you’re here,’ Doyel said, to which Clark responded: ‘I do that at my family after every game.’ Doyel went on to say: ‘OK. Well listen, start doing it to me and we’ll get along just fine,’ before asking his question.

Later on Wednesday, Doyel apologized for his actions after clips of their exchange went viral.

‘Today in my uniquely oafish way, while welcoming @CaitlinClark22 to Indy, I formed my hands into her signature,’ he wrote on X.

‘My comment afterward was clumsy and awkward. I sincerely apologize. Please know my heart (literally and figuratively) was well-intentioned. I will do better.’

Clark, bewildered by the reporter’s gesture and trying to make a good first impression with her new team, was nice but clearly not amused, saying ‘you like that?’ upon seeing the gesture.

Clark was chosen as the top pick by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Clark appeared bewildered by the last remark, sporting a shocked expression as she proceeded with the press conference.

Doyel faced heavy criticism online for the exchange, prompting some to demand the revocation of his credentials by the Fever.

The spotlight on Clark has provided the Fever with an opportunity to completely alter the course of their franchise, reminiscent of how LeBron James transformed the Cleveland Cavaliers during his tenures with the team.

Although the Fever aimed for Clark’s message of guiding the team back to the postseason to be the enduring takeaway, her encounter with Doyel may unfortunately overshadow it.