Sophie Cunningham of the Fever issues statement on 'extremely hurtful' recent allegations

Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever turned to Instagram on Wednesday, May 21, to clear her name after being the subject of some upsetting recent rumors. 

Cunningham is from the Phoenix Mercury and was traded to the Fever in February. A lawsuit was recently filed against the Phoenix Mercury and the Phoenix Suns by an employee of the Suns named Gene Traylor. 

The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination and safety concerns. It also alleges that the married CEO of the Mercury and Suns, Josh Bartelstein, is currently having an affair with 28-year-old Cunningham. 

Bartelstein has been married since 2022, and Cunningham has denied these allegations. 

“I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met,” Cunningham wrote in a statement shared on her Instagram story. “Let me be clear, his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful.”

“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 continued. 

Cunningham concluded that she won’t allow these rumors to distract her from basketball or her team. 

She has had to sit out the first two games of the Fever’s season due to an ankle injury, but has been enthusiastically cheering on her teammates from the sidelines. 

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