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.

Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The CEO of the Phoenix Suns Josh Bartelstein has found himself in hot waters after rumors of his alleged affair with Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham surfaced. According to reports by Front Office Sports, former Suns Director of Security Gene Taylor has filed a lawsuit against Bartelstein against the franchise and its associated companies for racial discrimination. 

In the lawsuit, Taylor has claimed that Bartelstein had an ongoing affair with former Phoenix Mercury star Cunningham. According to the lawsuit, Traylor revealed a conversation with Suns executive Dan Craig, where he allegedly told others about the inappropriate relationship between Bartelstein and Cunningham. The former got married to Sydney Cox in 2023, and there is no word from either of them. In addition, the Fever star has also not made any remarks about the same. However, both the NBA and WNBA teams have denied everything within the lawsuit. 

Notably, this is the fourth lawsuit filed against the Suns since November 2024, and similar to this one, the previous lawsuits also had claims of racism, toxic workplace, unfair treatment of employees, and more. Talking about Cunningham, the 28-year-old, who didn’t feature in Fever’s season opener due to an ankle injury, was traded to Fever in January after the rumors of her affair started to surface. 

Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein is accused of having an affair with former player Sophie Cunningham in a discrimination lawsuit filed by Gene Taylor pic.twitter.com/eYit6fmUVP

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) May 20, 2025

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Josh Bartelstein’s Career Rise in Phoenix Suns 

Bartelstein was a reserved bench player for the Michigan Wolverines from 2009 to 2013 and served as a captain in his senior year. While his career on court was full of struggles, the 35-year-old found success in the front office after his collegiate playing days were over. 

When he graduated from Michigan, he served in various roles with the Detroit Pistons, including Chief of Staff, Executive Vice President of Business and Basketball Operations and finally Assistant General Manager. He later moved to Phoenix and has been serving as the CEO of Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA and the Phoenix Suns of the NBA since 2023.

Also Read: WNBA Launches Investigation After Claims of Racist Comments Made Against Angel Reese During Game vs. Fever