PHOENIX — Former Phoenix Mercury player Sophie Cunningham denies accusations of having an affair with CEO Josh Bartelstein after a lawsuit against the Phoenix Suns’ was presented.
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Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham (9) against the Indiana Fever at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Gene Traylor, former Suns’ director of safety, filed a lawsuit against the team for allegations of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. In the lawsuit, Traylor accuses Cornelius Craig, Suns’ vice president of security and risk management, of erratic behavior.
When asked by Bartelstein in a meeting about the behavior, Traylor said that Craig told others that the CEO and Cunningham were in an alleged affair.
May 17, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns Chief Executive Officer Josh Bartelstein looks on during the first half of the game between the Phoenix Mercury and the Seattle Storm at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Cunningham has responded to the claim on X (formerly Twitter), saying the accusations are false and doesn’t know Traylor.
“I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor,” she said. “… Let me be clear, his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful.”
The rest of her statement is down below.
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) May 21, 2025
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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