More than a year after his awkward and highly criticized interaction with Caitlin Clark made headlines, longtime columnist Gregg Doyel is back covering the Indiana Fever in person—and fans definitely noticed.

His return happened at Gainbridge Fieldhouse during the Fever’s preseason matchup against the Washington Mystics.

And while Doyel may have blended into the crowd at first glance, his presence didn’t go unnoticed online.

The Controversial Moment That Sparked the Hiatus

If you missed it last year, Doyel sparked major backlash during Caitlin Clark’s introductory press conference.

The former Iowa basketball star was meeting the local media for the first time when Doyel bizarrely greeted her by mimicking her signature heart-shaped hand gesture.

When Clark, clearly puzzled, asked him if he liked the symbol, Doyel replied, “Start doing it with me and we’ll get along just fine.”

That cringey exchange quickly went viral and cost him a two-week suspension from the Indianapolis Star.

Following the fallout, Doyel seemingly disappeared from all in-person Indiana Fever coverage for the remainder of Clark’s rookie season—something fans picked up on.

A Low-Key Comeback to the Sidelines

Fast forward to this past weekend: Doyel quietly shared a photo from inside the arena just before tip-off, signaling that he was indeed back on duty.

His usual #columncoming hashtag accompanied the picture, a subtle announcement that he was writing about the game.

Interestingly, Clark didn’t play in the preseason game due to a leg injury, which was described as precautionary.

The WNBA Rookie of the Year was considered a game-time decision, so her absence wasn’t a huge surprise.

Fans React Online—and They’re Not Exactly Thrilled

On social media, Doyel tried to keep things under the radar by turning off comments on his post.

But that didn’t stop users from reacting.

Fans who had strong opinions about his past behavior resorted to quoting the post to voice their disapproval.

One person wrote, “Ugh, I liked it better when he was banned.”

Another user added a sarcastic jab, referencing a long-running joke in the fan community: “And still John Haliburton remains unable to watch his son, who would willingly make heart symbols back.

#FreeJohnHaliburton and #BanGreggDoyel.”

Despite the noise, neither the Indiana Fever nor the Indianapolis Star have made any official statements about Doyel’s return.

But his presence—and his social media activity—seems to confirm the ban is over, and he’s once again covering the team.

What Happens Next for Doyel and Clark?

With Clark expected to be a major star this season, it remains to be seen how often Doyel will be at games moving forward, and how the public—and Clark herself—will respond.

One thing’s for sure: the fans haven’t forgotten what happened last year, and all eyes are on how this dynamic unfolds during the 2025 WNBA season.