Phoenix Mercury-turned-Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has found herself at the center of a firestorm after explosive court documents alleged an affair with Josh Bartelstein, the married CEO of both the Phoenix Suns and Mercury. The claims surfaced in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Suns security director Gene Traylor, who alleges senior executives dismissed his safety concerns—including high-profile incidents like Britney Griner’s airport harassment.
But it’s the salacious claim that Bartelstein was “f***ing Sophie Cunningham” that has the basketball world buzzing, casting an uncomfortable spotlight on two of Phoenix’s most prominent sports figures.
Security Chief drops nuclear allegation
The May 2024 lawsuit paints a chaotic picture of the Suns’ front office, but one line in particular detonated across social media: Traylor’s claim that VP Cornelius Craig spread rumors of Bartelstein’s alleged involvement with Cunningham. While the legal filing focuses primarily on workplace discrimination and security failures—including mishandling Griner’s post-Russia return—the inclusion of the alleged affair has shifted public attention.
Neither Sophie Cunningham (traded to Indiana in January) nor Josh Bartelstein have addressed the claims. The Suns, however, launched a scorched-earth response, attacking plaintiff attorney Sheree Wright’s credibility: “These allegations are delusional and categorically false,” a team spokeswoman told ESPN, noting Wright’s disciplinary history with the Arizona Bar.
Bartelstein, who gushed about wife Sydney’s support in a November 2024 Phoenix Mag profile, now faces scrutiny over whether his “long hours” and travel overlapped with Cunningham’s tenure in Phoenix.
Sophie Cunningham’s rocky transition to Indiana
The timing couldn’t be worse for the 27-year-old guard. Already sidelined for the Fever’s season opener with an ankle injury, Cunningham now navigates a PR nightmare. Her absence didn’t slow Indiana’s 93-58 rout of Chicago—where Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s fiery clash dominated headlines—but the off-court drama threatens to overshadow her fresh start.
Historically outspoken (she once taunted Griner’s Russian detainment critics with “Suck my d***”), Sophie Cunningham’s silence here speaks volumes. The WNBA, no stranger to tabloid fodder, now watches as one of its most polarizing figures faces unprecedented personal scrutiny.
Josh Bartelstein’s crisis management test
For Bartelstein, a former Michigan basketball walk-on turned exec, the allegations strike at his carefully curated image. His 2022 wedding to Sydney was a splashy affair, and his MAG interview framed her as his “rock” amid the Suns’ “high-stress” demands. If the claims gain traction, it could destabilize leadership across both the Suns and Mercury—teams already reeling from Griner’s 2023 arrest and the Suns’ playoff disappointments.
What’s Next?
With legal proceedings ongoing and the WNBA season heating up, key questions remain:
Will Sophie Cunningham or Josh Bartelstein break their silence?
Could the Fever distance themselves from the controversy?
How will Mercury fans react if proven true?
One thing’s certain: In a league where Clark-Reese rivalries and Griner’s activism already command attention, this scandal ensures Cunningham’s name—for better or worse—won’t fade from headlines soon.