Overview

• Sophie Cunningham has publicly denied allegations of a sexual relationship with Phoenix Suns and Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein, calling them untrue and deeply hurtful.
• The allegations were mentioned in a lawsuit filed by former Suns security director Gene Traylor, who accuses the organization of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
• Cunningham stated she has never met Traylor and criticized media outlets for publishing the claims without seeking her comment.
• The Suns and Mercury organizations have labeled the affair allegations as categorically false and morally reprehensible.
• Traylor’s attorney, Sharee Wright, has called the organizations’ denials defamatory and retaliatory against legal advocacy.