WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham Calls Accusation of Affair 'Hurtful'

[ad_1] NEED TO KNOW Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham denied accusation she had an affair with the CEO of her former crew, calling the allegation "hurtful"In a latest, unrelated lawsuit in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury, a crew worker accuses a coworker of spreading a rumor that had claimed Cunningham and the crew's CEO Josh Bartelstein had been having an affairIn addition to Cunningham, the Suns group denied the alleged affair in an announcement to PEOPLE Sophie Cunningham says the alleged rumor that she had an affair with the married CEO of her former Phoenix Mercury crew is "hurtful" and has left her "deeply saddened," denying the allegation.

Cunningham, 28, made her assertion Wednesday, Might 21 after a brand new lawsuit in opposition to her former crew and their NBA counterpart the Phoenix Suns, filed final week by present Suns worker Gene Traylor, claimed one other worker had unfold a rumor that the WNBA star had an affair with Josh Bartelstein, the married CEO of her former crew. A number of shops then reported on the unsubstantiated rumor.

“I'm deeply saddened by the latest false accusations made in opposition to me by Gene Traylor, somebody I have no idea and have by no means met,” Cunningham, who now performs for the Indiana Fever, wrote in an announcement shared on Instagram. “Let me be clear his statements are unfaithful and very hurtful.”

Cunningham added, "I maintain myself to the best integrity and my values are what information me on and off the court docket," whereas noting the additional stress on WNBA gamers to not simply be world class athletes but additionally function fashions within the rising panorama of girls's sports activities.

"To the media who reported on this, I've at all times spoken the reality and been clear with any press inquiry," the Fever guard continued. "On this occasion it feels irresponsible that I used to be by no means requested for a remark in regards to the accusation earlier than a number of clickbait tales went to print. I cannot let unfaithful gossip take my focus away from what's most necessary to me which is basketball, my supportive crew and my followers.”

Sophie Cunningham assertion. Sophie Cunningham/Instagram

In a authorized criticism filed in Arizona District Courtroom on Might 13, Traylor alleges the Suns and Mercury demoted him from his function as director of safety and threat administration due to discrimination.

Inside the lawsuit, Traylor claimed that Cornelius Craig, the vp of safety and threat administration, had been telling those that Bartelstein, 35, and Cunningham had been having an affair. From that, a number of media shops printed stories in regards to the allegation in opposition to Cunningham and her boss.

On Might 20, Stacey Mitch, Phoenix Suns Senior Vice President of Communications, issued an announcement to PEOPLE vehemently denying the alleged affair. "The latest stories regarding Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are fully false and morally reprehensible. Let’s be completely clear in regards to the origin of those claims."

Mitch continued, denouncing Traylor's legal professional: "Legal professional Sheree Wright, a private harm and immigration lawyer, presently serving a two yr probation with the Arizona State Bar for violating the foundations {of professional} conduct, sees a chance due to the stories about earlier possession."

"Ms. Wright has now filed 4 separate lawsuits in opposition to the group, searching for over $140 million {dollars} in compensation," Mitch claims. "Up to now, her instances have been dismissed by the Equal Employment Alternative Fee and Arizona Civil Rights Division or voluntarily withdrawn."

Mitch additional accuses Wright of including falsehoods to her lawsuits to drive media consideration.

"She continues to insert salacious lies and fabrications into her complaints — understanding that the media could report them as truth, as occurred yesterday — she hopes to coerce the Phoenix Suns into settling. Sheree Wright won't extort our group and by no means see a single greenback. We are going to pursue all obtainable authorized avenues and maintain these accountable for taking part within the unfold of deceptive and false narratives."

Sophie Cunningham on September 7, 2024. Liv Lyons/NBAE through Getty

Cunningham was drafted by the Mercury in 2019 and performed in Phoenix till final season. In January, she was traded to the Indiana Fever.

Bartelstein oversees each the Phoenix Mercury and their NBA counterpart within the Phoenix Suns. He married his spouse Sydney Cox in August 2022.

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The lawsuit in opposition to Suns Legacy Companions, LLC accuses the corporate of racial discrimination and safety lapses. Traylor alleges within the criticism that, "Craig had been spreading damaging data that would jeopardize the group."

Elsewhere, the submitting states, “When Bartelstein requested Plaintiff to disclose what Craig was saying, Plaintiff defined that Craig had been telling others, ‘Josh Bartelstein is f---ing Sophie Cunningham.' ”

PEOPLE has moreover reached out to the Fever to ask if Cunningham has additional remark, however a crew spokesperson didn't reply Wednesday as of press time. Cunningham has missed the Fever's first two video games of the season whereas out with an ankle harm.