Love and basketball.
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has been accused of having an affair with married Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, a former Suns employee claimed in a new lawsuit obtained by Page Six.
Per the docs filed last week, Gene Traylor — who worked as the director of safety, security and risk management for the Suns — alleged racial discrimination and security issues within the basketball leagues.
Traylor claimed in the docs that Cornelius Craig — who has worked as the vice president of security and risk management for the Suns and the Mercury since 2024 — demoted him on his first day at work.
WNBA star Sophie Cunningham is accused of having an affair with married Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, according to a new lawsuit obtained by Page Six. NBAE via Getty Images
Per the docs filed last week, Gene Traylor — who worked as the director of safety, security and risk management for the Suns — alleged racial discrimination and security issues within the basketball leagues. Getty Images
Traylor claimed that he spoke with Bartelstein about Craig’s behavior because he believed he was being targeted.
Traylor told Bartelstein, 36, that Craig had been telling people that the basketball executive was allegedly having an affair with the 28-year-old Indiana Fever player, according to the suit.
“[Traylor] also shared with Bartelstein that Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization,” the lawsuit read.
According to the docs, Traylor told Bartelstein that Craig had been telling others that “Josh Bartelstein is f–king Sophie Cunningham.”
Traylor claimed he told Bartelstein that another Suns employee had been telling people that the basketball executive was allegedly having an affair with the Indiana Fever player. NBAE via Getty Images
“When Bartelstein asked Plaintiff to reveal what [Cornelius] Craig was saying, Plaintiff explained that Craig had been telling others, ‘Josh Bartelstein is f–king Sophie Cunningham,’” the docs stated. NBAE via Getty Images
“Additionally, Plaintiff requested that Bartelstein speak with the security team about Craig’s behavior. The Plaintiff further expressed frustration that complaints made to the People & Culture department had not been addressed,” according to the docs.
Page Six has reached out to Cunningham for comment but did not immediately hear back. A contact for Bartelstein and Craig was not available.
Stacey Mitch, the Senior Vice President of Communications for the Suns, told Page Six in a statement Tuesday: “The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible.”
This story was featured on a recent episode of Page Six Radio, a daily morning show serving up the hottest celebrity headlines, exclusives, and behind-the-scenes buzz. Catch Danny, Evan and Ian chat with celebrity guests every weekday on SiriusXM from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET on Stars Ch. 109.
SiriusXM service required. See Offer Details.
Mitch added that the organization will “pursue all available legal avenues and hold those accountable for participating in the spread of misleading and false narratives.”
According to the Suns spokesperson, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Sheree Wright, is “serving a two-year probation with the Arizona State Bar for violating the rules of professional conduct.” Mitch also claimed that the lawyer has filed multiple lawsuits that have since been “dismissed” or “voluntarily withdrawn.”
According to the State Bar of Arizona, Wright was placed on a two-year probation in August 2024.
Wright told Page Six Tuesday that she stands by the allegations brought in the lawsuit.
On Wednesday, Cunningham took to X to deny that she was having an affair with Bartelstein. NBAE via Getty Images
“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,” she tweeted. Getty Images
“The claim involving Sophie Cunningham is not fabricated—it was corroborated long before the complaint was filed, and the organization is well aware of this,” she claims.
She added of her probation that she’s a “licensed attorney in good standing,” and it has “no bearing on the merits of this case.”
“Let me be very clear: I will not be bullied, and I will not be silenced. My clients deserve to be heard,” she concluded.
On Wednesday, Cunningham took to X to deny that she was having an affair with Bartelstein.
Cunningham was selected as the 13th overall pick of the 2019 WNBA draft by the Mercury. sophie_cham/Instagram
In January, she was traded to the Fever, joining WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Getty Images
“I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met,” she tweeted. “Let me be clear his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful.”
The athlete said she holds herself “to the highest integrity and my values are what guide me on and off the court.”
She also claimed that she was not contacted by media outlets for comment on this story, however, Page Six reached out to the email that was provided for inquiries in her Instagram bio.
“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,” she concluded.
Cunningham was selected as the 13th overall pick of the 2019 WNBA draft by the Mercury.
In January, she was traded to the Fever, joining WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Meanwhile, Bartelstein tied the knot with his wife, Sydney Cox, in August 2022.
Bartelstein tied the knot with his wife, Sydney Cox, in August 2022. NBAE via Getty Images
In a November 2024 interview with Phoenix Magazine, the NBA’s youngest CEO (far left) praised his wife for making his job easier. Getty Images
In a November 2024 interview with Phoenix Magazine, the NBA’s youngest CEO praised his wife for making his job easier.
“This job is incredibly demanding. It’s the best job ever, but it’s long hours, high-stress and -pressure, and public-facing. And I travel a lot,” he said.
“Me and Sydney have done it together, and she’s a huge reason why I love what I get to do.”