Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White talks loss to Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream defeated the Indiana Fever, 91-90, in a game Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
INDIANAPOLIS – Sophie Cunningham is denying claims she had an intimate relationship with Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein while she was a member of the Phoenix Mercury.
The claim originated in a lawsuit Suns security employee Gene Traylor filed against the organization. Within the lawsuit filings obtained by IndyStar, Traylor alleges Suns’ vice president of security and risk management Cornelius Craig was telling others that “Josh Bartelstein is (expletive)ing Sophie Cunningham.”
Cunningham is not a defendant in the lawsuit or mentioned in any other portion of it; her name is simply used as an example of what Traylor alleges is inappropriate behavior by Craig.
“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 wrote in a statement posted to X. “Let me be clear: his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful. I am here to compete, play basketball at the highest level and win for my team and fans, while inspiring other women hat they can do or be anything they ever dream of becoming. I hold myself to the highest integrity and my values are what guide me on and off the court.
“To the media who reported on this, I have always spoken the truth and been transparent with any press inquiry,” her statement 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.”
The Suns also denied the claims of a relationship between Cunningham and Bartelstein.
“The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible,” Suns spokesperson Stacey Mitch told Front Office Sports.“Let’s be absolutely clear about the origin of these claims.”
Cunningham was drafted by the Mercury in 2019 and played in Phoenix for seven seasons. She was traded to Indiana as part of a four-team trade that also saw Indiana send NaLyssa Smith to Dallas and the No. 8 pick in the draft to Connecticut.
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