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The Suns lashed out against the allegations that CEO Josh Bartelstein, who also serves in the same capacity for the WNBA’s Mercury, had an affair with former Mercury star Sophie Cunningham, as alleged in a May lawsuit by a member of the organization.
Gene Traylor, the plaintiff and a Suns employee and former director of safety, security and risk management, alleges that a colleague had been telling people that Bartelstein allegedly was having an affair with Cunningham
A fiery statement by Suns senior vice president of communications Stacey Mitch called out attorney Sheree Wright, who is one of two lawyers representing Traylor in the lawsuit.
Traylor is quoted in the lawsuit as having overheard that a colleague had been telling people that the married Bartelstein “is f–king Sophie Cunningham.”
“The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible. Let’s be absolutely clear about the origin of these claims,” Mitch said in a statement.
“Attorney Sheree Wright, a personal injury and immigration lawyer, currently serving a two year probation with the Arizona State Bar for violating the rules of professional conduct, sees an opportunity because of the reports about previous ownership. Ms. Wright has now filed four separate lawsuits against the organization, seeking over $140 million dollars in compensation. To date, her cases have been dismissed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Arizona Civil Rights Division or voluntarily withdrawn.
“She continues to insert salacious lies and fabrications into her complaints — knowing that the media may report them as fact, as happened yesterday — she hopes to coerce the Phoenix Suns into settling. Sheree Wright will not extort our organization and never see a single dollar.
“We will pursue all available legal avenues and hold those accountable for participating in the spread of misleading and false narratives.”
The Suns released their statement following a bombshell lawsuit by Traylor, who is still with the organization and previously worked as its director of safety, security and risk management after joining in 2023, in which he alleges racial discrimination, harassment, unlawful retaliation and security issues.
He alleges in his lawsuit against Suns Legacy Partners, LLC, that Cornelius Craig, the vice president of security and risk management for the franchises, had been telling people of an alleged affair.
The lawsuit alleges Craig “targeted” Traylor, who was demoted to safety and development training leader.
The lawsuit did not state the amount Traylor is seeking.
“Plaintiff also shared with Bartelstein that Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization,” the lawsuit claims. “When Bartelstein asked Plaintiff to reveal what Craig was saying, Plaintiff explained that Craig had been telling others, ‘Josh Bartelstein is f–king Sophie Cunningham.'”
Cunningham, 28, landed with the Mercury and played six seasons for the franchise before being traded to the Fever this offseason.
The Mercury extended her last year through the 2025 season before moving on.
Bartelstein, 35, joined the Suns and Mercury in 2023 and a press release stated he oversees business operations for the franchise.
A November 2024 profile from phoenixmag.com said he had been married two years as of November 2024 to his wife Sydney, who he credited for allowing him to “love” his job.
“This job is incredibly demanding. It’s the best job ever, but it’s long hours, high-stress and -pressure, and public-facing. And I travel a lot,” Bartelstein told the outlet. “Me and Sydney have done it together, and she’s a huge reason why I love what I get to do.”
The Suns have been sued four times now in the past seven months by current or former employees, according to ESPN.
Andrea Trischan, the team’s former program manager of diversity, equity and inclusion, sued for $60 million in 2024 on the basis of allegations of harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination, per the outlet.
Jason Cope, a former staffer of the SunsVision department, alleged age discrimination and not being awarded his benefits and overtime, according to ESPN.
One Jane Doe reportedly also sued under allegations of racial and gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation by an ex-Suns employee.
“The common denominator is Sheree Wright. She is trying to extort the Suns organization,” a Suns spokeswoman told ESPN last week. “Ms. Wright continues to recruit former and now current employees and is manipulating them to file meritless lawsuits.”
The Suns’ culture came under fire during previous owner Robert Sarver’s tenure, which included him receiving a $10 million fine and a one-year suspension in 2022 for racist and sexist actions.
Mat Ishbia then bought the Suns and Mercury in 2023.
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