Former Phoenix Mercury player Sophie Cunningham broke her silence on Wednesday (May 21), addressing a recent lawsuit that includes an accusation that she had an affair with Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein.
"I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Taylor, someone I do not know and have never met," she said in a statement. "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," the statement continues. "I hold myself to the highest integrity and my values are what guide me on and off the court."
Cunningham also called out outlets who did not contact her for her side of the story.
"To the media who reported on this, I have always spoken the truth and been transparent with any press inquiry," she said. "In this instance it feels irresponsible that I was never asked for a comment about the accusation before several clickbait stories went to print. 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."
Taylor, former Phoenix Suns director of security, alleges in his lawsuit against the franchise that he and Bartelstein had a conversation on Oct. 10, 2024 about the team's vice president of security and risk management Cornelius Craig "spreading damaging information" about the Suns and Mercury CEO. Taylor is also accusing the franchise and its associated companies of racial discrimination and security deficiencies.
"When Bartelstein asked plaintiff to reveal what Craig was saying, plaintiff explained that Craig had been telling others, 'Josh Bartelstein is fucking Sophie Cunningham,'" the suit reads.
The Suns released a statement on Tuesday (May 20), calling the allegations "entirely false and morally reprehensible."
Bartelstein has not personally addressed the accusations.
Cunningham was drafted by the Mercury in the 2019 WNBA draft. She was traded to the Indiana Fever in January.
