WNBA team exec accused of having affair with Sophie Cunningham
The Phoenix Suns and Mercury are firing back at a recent accusation that claimed the franchises’ CEO, Josh Bartelstein, was having an affair with WNBA player Sophie Cunningham. The accusation surfaced in a lawsuit from former employee Gene Traylor against Suns Legacy Partners, LLC.
Traylor alleged that he met with Bartelstein and informed him that Cornelius Craig, the teams’ vice president of security and risk management, had been spreading rumors about Bartelstein having an affair with Cunningham. The lawsuit stated that Traylor asked Bartelstein to address Craig’s behavior with the security team.
In response to the accusation, the Suns released a statement calling the reports “entirely false and morally reprehensible.” The team pointed out that the claims originated from attorney Sheree Wright, who has filed multiple lawsuits against the organization seeking over $140 million in compensation. The Suns vowed to pursue all legal avenues to hold those accountable for spreading misleading and false narratives.
Wright is representing Traylor in the case against Suns Legacy Partners, LLC. Traylor, who served as the team’s director of safety, security, and risk management, accused the company of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. He also alleged that the team retaliated against him after he reported weapons breaches.
The Suns refuted Traylor’s allegations, calling them “delusional and categorically false.” The team emphasized their commitment to guest safety and stated that they regularly conduct security tests to ensure they are operating at the highest level of safety and preparedness.
Sophie Cunningham, the WNBA player at the center of the controversy, was traded to the Indiana Fever from the Mercury in the offseason. Despite the trade, Cunningham has referred to Phoenix as her “home away from home” and has a strong connection to the city.
Cunningham recently sat out of a game against the Chicago Sky due to an ankle injury. She has not publicly commented on the accusations made in the lawsuit.
As the legal battle between Traylor and Suns Legacy Partners, LLC continues, the Phoenix Suns and Mercury remain focused on their commitment to guest safety and ensuring the integrity of their organizations. It is clear that they will not tolerate false accusations or attempts at extortion and will vigorously defend themselves against any misleading claims.
