WNBA star breaks silence on ‘hurtful’ affair allegations with former team’s CEO
'I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusation made against me ... Let me be clear his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful.'
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After bombshell allegations of an affair with her former team’s married CEO, Sophie Cunningham has fired back.
The ex-Phoenix Mercury star is denying the claims made against her in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by Gene Traylor, the director of security for the Suns.
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In the lawsuit, it is alleged that Cunningham was engaged in an affair with Josh Bartelstein, the CEO of the Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.
Cunningham, who was traded to the Indiana Fever earlier this year, broke her silence on the claims with a statement posted Wednesday on social media, saying that the allegations are “untrue and extremely hurtful” and that she doesn’t even know Traylor.
“I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusation made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met,” Cunningham said. “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 my fans, while inspiring other women that 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. In this instance it feels irresponsible that I was never asked for 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 28-year-old Cunningham played six seasons with the Mercury after the franchise selected her in the second round of the 2019 WNBA draft.
In the lawsuit, Traylor alleges that Cornelius Craig — the Suns v-p of security and risk management — claimed Bartelstein was engaged in an affair with Cunningham.
“Plaintiff also shared with Bartelstein that Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization,” the lawsuit said, per Awful Announcing.
“When Bartelstein asked Plaintiff to reveal what Craig was saying, Plaintiff explained that Craig had been telling others, ‘Josh Bartelstein is f***ing Sophie Cunningham.’”
Traylor’s lawsuit, in which he reportedly is seeking undisclosed damages, alleges discrimination, harassment and retaliation by the team.
The 35-year-old Bartelstein has been married to his wife, Sydney, for more than two years, according to Phoenix Mag.
He joined the Suns and Mercury as CEO in April 2023 following eight years working for the Detroit Pistons.
The Phoenix Suns have denied Traylor’s accusations while ESPN has reported that the NBA will “let the legal process take its course.”
“The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible,” said Stacey Mitch, the Suns senior v-p of communications.
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