Mercury CEO Refutes Allegations of Affair With Fever Star Sophie Cunningham: ‘Morally Reprehensible’

Suns, Scandals, and the Winding Roads of Allegations

I stumbled across the headlines during my morning scroll, raising my eyebrows at the familiar mixture of intrigue and disbelief. This time, it was about the Phoenix Suns and a whirlwind of rumors involving their CEO, Josh Bartelstein, and former Phoenix Mercury player, Sophie Cunningham. It felt like something out of a dramatic novel, though maybe that’s just how these stories often feel.

The Suns are no strangers to controversy, sharing ownership with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. Cunningham’s history with the Mercury, spanning from 2019 to 2024, made her a beloved figure in local basketball circles. So when allegations started swirling, they stirred quite the commotion. These claims suggested an affair between Bartelstein and Cunningham – but according to Suns spokesperson Stacey Mitch, they’re “entirely false and morally reprehensible.” I mean, sometimes it’s hard to know what to believe.

These rumors surfaced as part of a lawsuit filed by former Suns director of security, Gene Traylor. He alleged racial discrimination within the team and claimed they turned a blind eye to serious security issues. Part of his lawsuit mentioned that Cornelius Craig, the vice president of security and risk management, had been spreading tales about Bartelstein’s alleged affair. It paints quite a picture-more tangled than a yarn ball after a cat’s been at it.

The Suns have firmly denied these claims. Mitch emphasized that attorney Sheree D. Wright, representing Traylor and plaintiffs in three other suits against the Suns, has had disciplinary issues with the State Bar of Arizona. Twice disciplined, she’s on a two-year probation. It’s a detail that’s meant to cast doubt on her motives-or so one might think. Mitch didn’t mince words when she mentioned Wright’s supposed attempts to “coerce” a settlement from the Suns. “Sheree Wright will not extort our organization,” she declared emphatically.

The legal tangle deepens with accusations flying back and forth. In an earlier statement to ESPN, the Suns labeled these allegations as “delusional and categorically false.” There’s something almost theatrical about such strong language-one could imagine it shouted from a courtroom podium.

Cunningham’s journey in professional basketball saw her being drafted by the Mercury in 2019 and later traded to Indiana, where she now plays alongside rising star Caitlin Clark. Her focus remains on empowerment within the WNBA. “To me, it’s not about competition,” she shared back in March. Her vision for empowering women in sports seems untouched by the drama swirling around her past team.

I suppose there will always be tales that capture our attention-whether due to truth or mere whisperings amplified through megaphones. Maybe that’s what keeps us coming back for more: this strange brew of sportsmanship, scandal, and speculation.

For more context, see this BBC Entertainment overview.