WNBA star Sophie Cunningham accused of having affair with Suns, Mercury CEO in bombshell lawsuit

The WNBA Is More Than Just Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese

-02:25

Former Mercury star Sophie Cunningham is alleged to have had an affair with married Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, according to a lawsuit.

Gene Traylor, a Suns employee and former director of safety, security and risk management, alleges he told Bartelstein that Cornelius Craig, the franchises’ vice president of security and risk management, had been telling people that Bartelstein allegedly was having an affair with Cunningham.

Traylor’s lawsuit alleges of racial discrimination and harassment, unlawful retaliation and security issues.

“Plaintiff also shared with Bartelstein that Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization,” the lawsuit filed this month against Suns Legacy Partners, LLC reads.

“When Bartelstein asked Plaintiff to reveal what Craig was saying, Plaintiff explained that Craig had been telling others, ‘Josh Bartelstein is f–king Sophie Cunningham.’”

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Cunningham celebrates while with the Mercury in 2022.Getty Images
The Suns denied the allegation in a fiery statement provided to The Post from senior vice president of communications Stacey Mitch.

“The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible,” Mitch said.

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Sophie Cunningham at the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.NBAE via Getty Images
Cunningham, 28, played for the Mercury from 2019-24 after the franchise drafted her in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft.

The Mercury signed Cunningham to an extension through the 2025 season last September before trading her to the Fever this February.

She did not play in the Fever’s controversial season-opening win over the Sky on Saturday, as she is dealing with an injury.

“Phoenix has become my home away from home, and I am so thrilled to be in the Valley and continue to get to play in front of the best fans in the W – the X-Factor,” Cunningham said in a press release about her extension. “The investments (owner) Mat (Ishbia) is making in our organization are unmatched and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of what we are building here, on the court and in the community.”

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Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein.Getty Images

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Sophie Cunningham was traded in February.@sophie_cham/Instagram
Bartelstein, 35, has been married to his wife, Sydney, for two years as of November 2024, according to phoenixmag.com.

He praised his wife for allowing him to “love” his job.

“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,” Bartelstein told phoenixmag.com. “Me and Sydney have done it together, and she’s a huge reason why I love what I get to do.”

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Sophie Cunningham (8) next to Caitlin Clark.NBAE via Getty Images

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Josh Bartelstein (r) and his wife, Sydney, in a photo from August 2022.@stellairbeauty/Instagram
Bartelstein played basketball for Michigan and officially joined the Suns and Mercury as CEO in April 2023 following eight years working for the Pistons.

A press release detailed his job duties as overseeing the business operations for the franchises.

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Sophie Cunningham hustles for a loose ball during a preseason game against the Mystics on May 3, 2025.Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“Josh understands our culture and values and shares our strategic vision for the Suns and Mercury,” Ishbia said in a statement two-plus years ago. “His proven leadership abilities and deep experience in both the business and basketball sides of an organization makes him uniquely positioned to transform the teams into the best basketball franchises on and off the court.”

The Suns allege that this lawsuit is an attempt by attorney Sheree Wright to “coerce” them into a settlement. Wright and Courtney Walters are representing Traylor.

Phoenix has been sued four times in the last seventh months by current or former employees, according to the outlet.

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Sophie Cunningham shows off her Indiana Fever jersey at media day.Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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“Let’s be absolutely clear about the origin of these claims,” Mitch’s statement said. “Attorney Sheree Wright, a personal injury and immigration lawyer, currently serving a two year probation with the Arizona State Bar for violating the rules of professional conduct, sees an opportunity because of the reports about previous ownership. Ms. Wright has now filed four separate lawsuits against the organization, seeking over $140 million dollars in compensation. To date, her cases have been dismissed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Arizona Civil Rights Division or voluntarily withdrawn.

“She continues to insert salacious lies and fabrications into her complaints—knowing that the media may report them as fact, as happened yesterday—she hopes to coerce the Phoenix Suns into settling.  Sheree Wright will not extort our organization and never see a single dollar.

“We will pursue all available legal avenues and hold those accountable for participating in the spread of misleading and false narratives.”