Breaking news: A columnist was suspended after a contentious exchange with Caitlin Clark.

Following his “clumsy and awkward” encounter with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark on April 17, Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star has been serving a two-week ban, as reported by Bob Kravitz.

Additionally, Kravitz announced on Tuesday that Doyel would not be doing any live Fever game coverage this summer.

When Doyel prepared to ask the former Iowa standout a question during Clark’s inaugural news conference with Indiana, she had a humiliating and widely ridiculed moment.

Later that day, the columnist penned a post in which she apologized directly to the first overall choice and apologized on social media.

Kravitz pointed out that even though the Indiana Pacers are now facing the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Doyel’s last piece was published on April 29. Since then, he hasn’t written anything.

According to Kravitz’s article, The Indianapolis Star and its owner, Gannett, both approved the suspension.

Despite not going to any Fever games in 2024, Doyel will allegedly “continue to write columns off the team by watching TV from his home.”

According to Kravitz’s sources, Doyel’s suspension is anticipated to expire on Monday.

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All 12 teams in the WNBA will be able to take charter flights.

The Women’s National Basketball Association is “in discussions to begin charter travel for all 12 of its teams as soon as this regular season.” The league made its decision based on the “explosion of interest in the league, business growth and anticipated future revenue from the next media deal” (X, 5/7). At a league meeting today, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert verified the allegation and stated that the league will formally announce charter travel for games “as soon as we can get the planes in place” (X, 5/7). N.Y. Liberty F Breanna Stewart responded, “It’s the first I’m hearing of it,” when questioned about the charter flights. We’ve probably been fighting for it and desiring it for a while. Hopefully, we can” (X, 5/7).

The WNBA tip-off games for next Tuesday, which feature Caitlin Clark’s league debut in her regular season, “will stream on Disney+.” The Phoenix Mercury will play the Las Vegas Aces on May 14, while Clark’s Indiana Fever will play the Connecticut Sun. ESPN+, ESPN2, and Disney+ will all offer streaming options for both games. The WNBA games “are a big deal,” as Disney+ hasn’t been involved in live sports up to this point, with the exception of a few NFL and NHL experimental animation simulcasts. According to the Hollywood Reporter on May 7, “the WNBA games will be the full, studio productions, not animated simulcasts.”

The WNBA “is FINALLY allowing charter flights as soon as this season” in response to criticism of Caitlin Clark’s commercial trips.

After receiving criticism for allowing Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever teammates to travel on commercial planes, the WNBA has started negotiations to permit charter flights for all of its teams this season.

Prior to her professional basketball debut against the Wings, which ended in a 79-76 loss, Clark and her new teammates arrived in Dallas, Texas, on Friday. However, the first overall pick’s casual stroll through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport sparked much debate on social media regarding the team’s travel plans.

According to USA Today columnist Christine Brennan, WNBA players will now reportedly receive the same travel arrangements as their NBA counterparts.

‘Breaking: I’m hearing the WNBA is in discussions to introduce charter travel for all 12 of its teams as soon as this regular season,’ she tweeted.

“Why at this time?” the surge in interest in the league, the expansion of the company, and the expected income from the next media arrangement.