Sophie Cunningham #8 of the Indiana Fever poses for a photo during the Indiana Fever Media Day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on April 30, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sophie Cunningham.
NEED TO KNOW
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham denied accusation she had an affair with the CEO of her former team, calling the allegation "hurtful"
In a recent, unrelated lawsuit against the Phoenix Mercury, a team employee accuses a coworker of spreading a rumor that had claimed Cunningham and the team's CEO Josh Bartelstein were having an affair
In addition to Cunningham, the Suns organization denied the alleged affair in a statement to PEOPLE
Sophie Cunningham says the alleged rumor that she had an affair with the married CEO of her former Phoenix Mercury team is "hurtful" and has left her "deeply saddened," denying the allegation.
Cunningham, 28, made her statement Wednesday, May 21 after a new lawsuit against her former team and their NBA counterpart the Phoenix Suns, filed last week by current Suns employee Gene Traylor, claimed another employee had spread a rumor that the WNBA star had an affair with Josh Bartelstein, the married CEO of her former team. Several outlets then reported on the unsubstantiated rumor.
“I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met,” Cunningham, who now plays for the Indiana Fever, wrote in a statement shared on Instagram. “Let me be clear his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful.”
Cunningham added, "I hold myself to the highest integrity and my values are what guide me on and off the court," while noting the extra pressure on WNBA players to not just be world class athletes but also role models in the growing landscape of women's sports.
"To the media who reported on this, I have always spoken the truth and been transparent with any press inquiry," the Fever guard continued. "In this instance it feels irresponsible that I was never asked for a comment about the accusation before several clickbait stories went to print. I will not let untrue gossip take my focus away from what is most important to me which is basketball, my supportive team and my fans.”
Sophie CunninghamSophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham statement.
In a legal complaint filed in Arizona District Court on May 13, Traylor alleges the Suns and Mercury demoted him from his role as director of security and risk management because of discrimination.
Within the lawsuit, Traylor claimed that Cornelius Craig, the vice president of security and risk management, had been telling people that Bartelstein, 35, and Cunningham were having an affair. From that, multiple media outlets published reports about the allegation against Cunningham and her boss.
On May 20, Stacey Mitch, Phoenix Suns Senior Vice President of Communications, issued a statement to PEOPLE vehemently denying the alleged affair. "The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible. Let’s be absolutely clear about the origin of these claims."
Mitch continued, denouncing Traylor's attorney: "Attorney Sheree Wright, a personal injury and immigration lawyer, currently serving a two year probation with the Arizona State Bar for violating the rules of professional conduct, sees an opportunity because of the reports about previous ownership."
"Ms. Wright has now filed four separate lawsuits against the organization, seeking over $140 million dollars in compensation," Mitch claims. "To date, her cases have been dismissed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Arizona Civil Rights Division or voluntarily withdrawn."
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Mitch further accuses Wright of adding falsehoods to her lawsuits to drive media attention.
"She continues to insert salacious lies and fabrications into her complaints — knowing that the media may report them as fact, as happened yesterday — she hopes to coerce the Phoenix Suns into settling. Sheree Wright will not extort our organization and never see a single dollar. We will pursue all available legal avenues and hold those accountable for participating in the spread of misleading and false narratives."
Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots a three point basket during the game on September 7, 2024 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
Sophie Cunningham #9 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots a three point basket during the game on September 7, 2024 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
Cunningham was drafted by the Mercury in 2019 and played in Phoenix until last season. In January, she was traded to the Indiana Fever.
Bartelstein oversees both the Phoenix Mercury and their NBA counterpart in the Phoenix Suns. He married his wife Sydney Cox in August 2022.
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The lawsuit against Suns Legacy Partners, LLC accuses the company of racial discrimination and security lapses. Traylor alleges in the complaint that, "Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization."
Elsewhere, the filing states, “When Bartelstein asked Plaintiff to reveal what Craig was saying, Plaintiff explained that Craig had been telling others, ‘Josh Bartelstein is f---ing Sophie Cunningham.' ”
PEOPLE has additionally reached out to the Fever to ask if Cunningham has further comment, but a team spokesperson did not respond Wednesday as of press time. Cunningham has missed the Fever's first two games of the season while out with an ankle injury.