Sophie Cunningham and Josh Bartelstein (Photos via USA Today)
I think we may be finding out why Sophie Cunningham is no longer on the Phoenix Mercury.
A federal complaint filed by Gene Traylor, the Suns’ former director of safety, security, and risk management, is pulling the covers on an alleged relationship between Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein and Cunningham.
Traylor alleged that a conversation with Suns executive Dan Craig led to him being told that Bartelstein was romantically involved with Cunningham. When Bartelstein pressed Traylor for details, Traylor quoted Craig directly:
“Josh Bartelstein is f**ing Sophie Cunningham,” according to court documents obtained and reported by Front Office Sports.
Now, it appears that Cunningham was certainly benefiting from that alleged sexual relationship.
Social media remembered the time Cunningham turned down Unrivaled because she made more as an analyst for the Suns.
Cunningham, a star player for the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, is also a recurring analyst for the Phoenix Suns on their Suns Live! Pre-game, halftime, and post-game TV coverage.
She declined Unrivaled’s reported $1 million offer, choosing to focus on her broadcasting role.
Sophie Cunningham’s unorthodox relationship with the team CEO is likely the reason she got the job and more money in her pocket.
We are just months from the lawsuit at Fox Sports that accused Joy Taylor of having a sexual relationship with ex-NFL star co-host Emmanuel Acho and former FS1 network executive Charlie Dixon to further her career.
The lawsuit also accuses Taylor of using her sexuality to secure a spot on “Speak” in 2020.
Will Sophie Cunningham Speak Out on The Allegations?
Sophie Cunningham (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Sophie Cunningham is currently going through her first season with the Indiana Fever after being traded by the Mercury.
Now, things have changed as a lawsuit claims she was having a sexual relationship with the Phoenix Suns CEO.
Unless a reporter outright asks her about it, she is unlikely to speak out.