Reporter labeled a 'sexist pervert' over awkward Caitlin Clark interaction faces MORE backlash after his groveling apology hits the wrong note with fans: 'Nothing says "I'm sorry" like making us click on your column'

The sports reporter at the center of an awkward Caitlin Clark press conference controversy is facing yet more backlash after writing a column of apology to the basketball star.

Indy Star columnist Gregg Doyel went viral on Wednesday after imitating the former Iowa star's heart-hands gesture to her face, before saying: 'Start doing it to me and we'll get along just fine'.

In the aftermath, Doyel copped plenty of criticism online, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy even labeling him a 'sexist pervert' and 'nauseating' in a series of scathing tweets.

Doyel then responded with a tweet - and column - of his own, but has now copped more abuse online after his apology struck the wrong tone with fans. 

Taking to X, one basketball fan wrote: 'Nothing says, "I'm sorry," like making us click on your column so you can get clicks.'

Caitlin Clark was at the center of an odd interaction at her first Indiana press conference

Indy Star reporter Gregg Doyel was labeled a 'sexist pervert' for his comments to the player

Doyel wrote a column of apology, but fans hit out at him for trying to get clicks to his website

Fans urged him to resign and slammed him for trying to generate clicks out of his apology

Another added: 'The original tweet wasn’t enough you had to turn it into an article to get clicks. Just resign. Please.'

Meanwhile, a user by the name of 'Doctor Disney': wrote: 'Just stop, man. Stop. Writing a column for hits after issuing an apology on Twitter doesn’t say much about your sincerity. 'It says, “I know this column will probably get lots of hits since everyone is angry at my actions.” Stop.'

One basketball fan took umbrage with the apology itself, writing: 'Gregg, all due respect, your apology continues to miss a big part of the point and "that's just the way I am" is not an excuse for anyone above the age of 5 years old.'

In the column, Doyel admits he 'screwed up' and insists he is 'known locally for having awkward conversations with people'.

He then adds that he was initially in denial and 'didn't do anything wrong', before realizing that he was 'ignorant' and has 'learned that I need to be more aware about how I talk to people'.

Doyel ends his column with a further apology to Clark, stating: 'I now realize what I said and how I said it was wrong, wrong wrong. I mean it was just wrong. Caitlin Clark, I'm so sorry.'

Doyel is a long-time reporter at the Star and told readers he is 'known' for awkward interactions

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

Meanwhile, Portnoy was not alone in his initial fury over Doyel's remarks, with several other prominent voices in the industry publicly taking issue with the reporter's comments.

Katie Mox of CBS Sports, said: 'What happened to Caitlin Clark today at her first press conference in Indy was really gross.'

CBC Sports senior contributor Shireen Ahmed 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.'

Interest in Clark has given the Fever to completely change the trajectory of their franchise, similarly to how LeBron James elevated the Cleveland Cavaliers during his two stints with the team.

And while the Fever wanted Clark's message of helping the team get back to the postseason as the lasting message, her exchange with Doyel might unfortunately prevail.

Clark was selected by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft 

Clark has already signed lucrative deals with companies like State Farm and Gatorade

It is also not the first controversy involving Clark since she was drafted on Monday night, with fans also furiously reacting to her salary at the Indiana Fever.

While the male equivalent of the No. 1 overall pick - Victor Wembanyama - picked up $12,160,680 in his first season in the NBA, Clark will earn just $76,535 in her first year.

Even President Joe Biden has weighed in on the news, demanding that WNBA players are 'paid their fair share'. 

'Women in sports continue to push new boundaries and inspire us all. But right now we're seeing that even if you're the best, women are not paid their fair share,' Biden wrote in a post on X.

Clark's performance in the basketball court during this year's NCAA tournament riveted the nation, with Iowa Hawkeyes games breaking viewership records.

For the first time ever, the NCAA women's basketball championship pulled in more viewers than the men's game.

ESPN announced 2.45 million people tuned in to watch the Indiana Fever take Clark on Monday as the No. overall pick in the WNBA draft, crushing the previous viewership record of just over 601,000.

Even President Biden weighed in on X and called for women to be 'paid what they deserve'

Clark signs autographs for fans at the WNBA Draft in Brooklyn on Monday night

But even as all eyes are on Clark, she will be earning less money in her first year WNBA contract than some NBA mascots make.

Clark will earn $338,056 over the course of her four years in Indiana. 

She will sign a three year contract with an option for a fourth year. 

Clark would earn $76,535 in year one. That goes up to $78,066 in year two and $85,873 in year three. If she takes the fourth year, she would earn $97,582.