“Shocking Lawsuit Claims WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham Had Secret Affair With Suns & Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein Team Issues Furious Response!”
A WNBA Star, a Team CEO, and a Lawsuit: The Scandal Shaking Phoenix Sports
The WNBA has found itself at the center of a controversy that has rapidly escalated from internal lawsuit jargon to a nationwide headline. Former Phoenix Mercury sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham, now with the Indiana Fever, is being accused of having an affair with Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein a claim that emerged in a newly filed lawsuit that has sent shockwaves through both leagues.
The allegations surfaced through a complaint filed by Gene Traylor, a former Suns employee who previously served as director of safety, security, and risk management for the franchise. His lawsuit, which includes claims of racial discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace violations, also casually drops a stunning accusation: that Cunningham and Bartelstein were allegedly involved in an inappropriate relationship.
The claim alone was enough to ignite widespread speculation but the organization’s fiery response has taken the story to another level entirely.
The Lawsuit and the Explosive Allegation
According to Traylor’s lawsuit, the alleged affair surfaced during an internal conversation he claims took place between him and Bartelstein. The lawsuit states that Traylor warned the CEO that damaging internal rumors were being spread by another employee, identified only as “Craig.”
When Bartelstein allegedly asked what those rumors were, Traylor claims he told him directly:
“Josh Bartelstein is f–king Sophie Cunningham.”
The shocking line, written plainly in the legal filing, immediately went viral as the lawsuit made public rounds.
This stunning accusation was just one part of a much larger lawsuit but it instantly became the headline due to Cunningham’s popularity and Bartelstein’s high profile executive position within the Suns/Mercury organization.
Cunningham, a fiery competitor known for her outspoken personality, became a fan favorite during her time with Phoenix before being traded to the Indiana Fever in February 2025. The idea that she may have been linked romantically to the married CEO of the organization was enough to send social media into a frenzy.
But the Suns’ response was immediate, harsh, and extremely defensive.
Phoenix Suns Fire Back: “Entirely False and Morally Reprehensible”
The organization wasted no time addressing the allegations. Suns senior vice president of communications Stacey Mitch released a lengthy, strongly worded statement to the media leaving absolutely no room for ambiguity.
“The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible,” Mitch said.
But the statement didn’t stop there. The Suns went on the offensive, aiming both at the lawsuit and the attorney behind it.
The team claims that attorney Sheree Wright, who filed the lawsuit on Traylor’s behalf, has a history of filing massive lawsuits against the organization and is currently serving probation for violating rules of professional conduct.
The Suns allege that Wright has already filed four lawsuits totaling more than $140 million in demands and that previous complaints have either been dismissed or withdrawn.
The organization accused Wright of deliberately inserting “salacious lies and fabrications” into legal complaints to exploit Phoenix’s turbulent past referencing the misconduct scandals under former owner Robert Sarver.
“She hopes to coerce the Phoenix Suns into settling,” the statement said.
“Sheree Wright will not extort our organization and never see a single dollar.”
The franchise went even further, promising legal retaliation:
“We will pursue all available legal avenues and hold those accountable for participating in the spread of misleading and false narratives.”
The Suns’ response was one of the strongest public denials seen from an NBA or WNBA franchise in years signaling how seriously the team is taking the accusation.
Who Are the People at the Center of the Scandal?
Sophie Cunningham
• Drafted in 2019 by Phoenix
• Spent five seasons with the Mercury
• Loved by fans for her loud, fiery personality
• Traded to the Indiana Fever in early 2025
• 28 years old
Cunningham has built a reputation as someone who embraces the spotlight but this is attention she certainly didn’t ask for.
Josh Bartelstein
• 35 years old
• CEO of both the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury
• Joined the organization in 2023
• Married, father, and former NBA executive for Detroit
• Considered one of the league’s rising business leaders
Because of his position, any scandal involving Bartelstein has the potential to impact both NBA and WNBA operations which is why the Suns responded so aggressively.
Gene Traylor
• Former director of safety, security, and risk management
• Claims racial discrimination and retaliation
• Added the alleged affair detail as part of broader internal problems
Traylor’s lawsuit is not primarily about the alleged relationship but that one line is what triggered the media storm.
A Franchise Trying to Avoid Another Scandal
This situation arrives at a delicate time for Phoenix. The Suns and Mercury have spent the last two years rebuilding their image following the Robert Sarver scandal, which included allegations of workplace harassment, misogyny, and toxic culture. Sarver was forced to sell the team in 2023.
So when new allegations even unproven surfaced claiming another internal misconduct scandal, the organization reacted swiftly and ferociously. A second cultural scandal could undo years of reputation repair, especially with the Suns positioned as contenders and the Mercury in the middle of a major roster rebuild.
The Suns’ aggressive public response shows they understand exactly what is at stake.
What Happens Next?
Despite the strong denials, this story isn’t going away.
• The lawsuit is now public.
• Media outlets continue to report updates.
• Fans and social media are obsessing over the details.
• Traylor’s broader accusations may trigger further investigation.
• Cunningham and Bartelstein have not personally commented yet.
Whether the affair allegations are true, false, or simply workplace gossip exaggerated into a lawsuit, the claims have already caused real damage.
And until the case moves through the legal system or until more statements come out the rumor will continue circulating.
What began as a workplace lawsuit has now turned into one of the biggest scandals of the year in women’s basketball and Phoenix sports.