WNBA star breaks silence on ‘hurtful' affair allegations with former team's CEO
After bombshell allegations of an affair with her former team's married CEO, Sophie Cunningham has fired back.
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The ex-Phoenix Mercury star is denying the claims made against her in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by Gene Traylor, the director of security for the Suns.
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In the lawsuit, it is alleged that Cunningham was engaged in an affair with Josh Bartelstein, the CEO of the Mercury and the NBA's Phoenix Suns.
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Cunningham, who was traded to the Indiana Fever earlier this year, broke her silence on the claims with a statement posted Wednesday on social media, saying that the allegations are 'untrue and extremely hurtful' and that she doesn't even know Traylor.
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'I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusation made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met,' Cunningham said. 'Let me be clear his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful.
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pic.twitter.com/CTXQdV04wn
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) May 21, 2025
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'I am here to compete, play basketball at the highest level and win for my team and my fans, while inspiring other women that they can do or be anything they ever dream of becoming. I hold myself to the highest integrity and my values are what guide me on and off the court.
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'To the media who reported on this, I have always spoken the truth and been transparent with any press inquiry. In this instance it feels irresponsible that I was never asked for comment about the accusation before several clickbait stories went to print.
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'I will not let untrue gossip take my focus away from what is most important to me which is basketball, my supportive team and my fans.
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The 28-year-old Cunningham played six seasons with the Mercury after the franchise selected her in the second round of the 2019 WNBA draft.
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