Sophie Cunningham, Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein Linked in Affair Lawsuit

Phoenix, AZ — WNBA star Sophie Cunningham is named in a lawsuit alleging an affair with Josh Bartelstein, the married CEO of both the Phoenix Suns and Mercury.

The lawsuit, filed by Gene Traylor, the former Director of Security for the Suns, was submitted in federal court on May 13. It claims racial discrimination and negligence in security, detailing how Traylor’s warnings about safety risks were ignored. He alleges that Bartelstein was involved with Cunningham, stating that a senior team official communicated that Bartelstein was ‘f***ing Sophie Cunningham.’

Bartelstein, who married his wife Sydney in 2022, has not commented publicly on the allegations, nor has Cunningham, who was traded from the Mercury to the Indiana Fever in January.

The Suns responded to the lawsuit, criticizing attorney Sheree Wright, who represents Traylor, saying she is under probation with the State Bar of Arizona for violations of professional conduct. In a statement, the Suns called the allegations ‘delusional and categorically false.’

Traylor’s lawsuit is the fourth federal case against the Suns since November 2024, with similar claims of discrimination and retaliation surfacing. He insists he was demoted due to racial bias and internal politics, revealing a troubling culture within the organization.

This lawsuit comes amid other controversies, including the harassment of Brittney Griner at an airport post-release from a Russian penal colony. Despite these incidents and a report from Phoenix police highlighting security flaws at the arena, Traylor claims the Suns failed to act.

As legal challenges mount, the Suns organization, under owner Mat Ishbia, faces intense scrutiny and possible reputational damage.