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Sophie Cunningham is addressing the “hurtful” allegations from a bombshell lawsuit that claimed she had an affair with married Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein.
The WNBA star took to X Wednesday to call out plaintiff Gene Traylor — the Sun’s former director of safety, security and risk management — who claimed the “damaging information” about Cunningham and Bartelstein was circulating within “the organization.”
“I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met. Let me be clear, his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful,” Cunningham wrote in part.
“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.”
She added, “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.”
Page Six has reached out to Cunningham and her lawyer for further comment.
Last week, Traylor filed a lawsuit claiming he experienced racial discrimination and security problems while working for the basketball league.
On his first day of work, Traylor alleged that Cornelius Craig, the vice president of security and risk management for Mercury and the Suns, demoted him.
Traylor alleged in his filing that he confronted Bartelstein about how he believed Craig was targeting him.
Per the lawsuit, Traylor allegedly shared with Bartelstein “that Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization.”
Traylor allegedly told Bartelstein that the VP had been saying, “Josh Bartelstein is f–king Sophie Cunningham.”
“Additionally, Plaintiff requested that Bartelstein speak with the security team about Craig’s behavior,” the lawsuit reads.
A spokesperson for the Suns vehemently denied the allegations, telling Page Six, “The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible.”
The rep added that Traylor’s attorney, Sheree Wright, is currently under “a two-year probation with the Arizona State Bar for violating the rules of professional conduct.”
Wright was put on probation last August, per the State Bar of Arizona.
Wright, however, claimed the allegations in Traylor’s lawsuit were “not fabricated.”
“It was corroborated long before the complaint was filed, and the organization is well aware of this,” she told Page Six.
Wright also commented on her probation, stating she is a “licensed attorney in good standing” and “will not be bullied” or “silenced.”
