Sophie Cunningham Breaks Silence on 'False' Accusations
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham denied claims she had an intimate relationship with Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein while she was a member of the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to her current team.
The accusation first arose in a lawsuit filed by Suns security employee Gene Traylor who alleges Suns’ vice president of security and risk management Cornelius Craig was telling others that “Josh Bartelstein is (expletive)ing Sophie Cunningham.” The Fever guard is not a defendant in the lawsuit and is not mentioned in any other portion of the suit other than to be used as an example of what Traylor believes was inappropriate behavior by Craig.
On Wednesday, May 20, Cunningham broke her silence on the issue.
"I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do no know and have never met. Let me be clear his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful," Cunningham said in a statement on Wednesday.
"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."
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) May 21, 2025
"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 a comment on the accusation before several clickbait stories went to print," she said in closing. "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."
Cunningham hasn't played in the Fever's first two games of the season as she nurses an ankle injury.
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