Lawsuit alleges WNBA player had affair with Phoenix Suns CEO

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

Sophie Cunningham, arguably the most attractive player in the WNBA (it's a low bar), is alleged to have had an affair with the Phoenix Suns/Mercury CEO Josh Bartelstein according to a recently filed discrimination and retaliation lawsuit by the franchise's former Director of Safety, Security and Risk Management.

Last summer, Cunningham posted to X that she was "lookin for a boat boy", but she failed to disclose that she wanted it parked in her harbor.

WNBA star Sophie Cunningham accused of having affair with Suns, Mercury CEO in bombshell lawsuit

Cunningham played for the Mercury from 2019-24 after the franchise drafted her in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft.

nypost.com

Suns accuse lawyer of fabricating Sophie Cunningham affair in $140 million shakedown

A fiery statement by Suns senior vice president of communications called out attorney Sheree Wright, who is one of two lawyers representing the plantiff in the lawsuit.

nypost.com

 

[gamecockcat]

Only downside would be that she'd expect you to attend WNBA games, i.e., the 7th Circle of Hell.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Good for him.

Although when you have that much money I'm sure he can have his pick of attractive hookers and gold diggers.

 

[Creed Bratton]

 

[GeraldV]

If you've got to pick a WNBA'er, she's about the top of the list.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

Good for him.

Although when you have that much money I'm sure he can have his pick of attractive hookers and gold diggers.

He's not that rich.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Isn't the real scandal here is that the CEO is a male?
That alone might get her kicked out of the WNBA.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Why is there a lawsuit?

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

Why is there a lawsuit?

Gene Traylor, a Suns employee and former director of safety, security and risk management, alleges he told Bartelstein that Cornelius Craig, the franchises’ vice president of security and risk management, had been telling people that Bartelstein allegedly was having an affair with Cunningham.

Traylor’s lawsuit alleges of racial discrimination and harassment, unlawful retaliation and security issues.

“Plaintiff also shared with Bartelstein that Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization,” the lawsuit filed this month against Suns Legacy Partners, LLC reads.

“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.'”

 

[august-west]

When did it become illegal to have an affair?

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Gene Traylor, a Suns employee and former director of safety, security and risk management, alleges he told Bartelstein that Cornelius Craig, the franchises’ vice president of security and risk management, had been telling people that Bartelstein allegedly was having an affair with Cunningham.

Traylor’s lawsuit alleges of racial discrimination and harassment, unlawful retaliation and security issues.

“Plaintiff also shared with Bartelstein that Craig had been spreading damaging information that could jeopardize the organization,” the lawsuit filed this month against Suns Legacy Partners, LLC reads.

“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.'”

I am still confused.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

I am still confused.

It sounds like a DEI hire was demoted and then he went scorched earth on his supervisor(s) by backstabbing him to executive leadership:

He alleges that a security presentation he gave to management that year led to retaliation by members of the organization, and that he was eventually demoted.

When this backstabbing didn't get his supervisor fired and himself reinstated to his former position, he filed a discrimination lawsuit. The discrimination lawsuit makes these allegations about Sophie Cunningham and Josh Bartelstein because he is disclosing what he said to executive leadership about his supervisor spreading rumors. This seems to be a theme with DEI hires in the Phoenix Suns organization:

In November, Andrea Trischan sued the team, alleging racial discrimination and unlawful retaliation that led to her termination. Trischan was the team's former manager of diversity, equity and inclusion for about 10 months in 2022 and 2023.

Suns employee sues team, alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation

A current employee for the Phoenix Suns has sued the team, alleging discrimination, harassment based on race and unlawful retaliation.

www.abc15.com

 

[bigblueinsanity]

It sounds like a DEI hire was demoted and then he went scorched earth on his supervisor(s) by backstabbing him to executive leadership:

He alleges that a security presentation he gave to management that year led to retaliation by members of the organization, and that he was eventually demoted.

When this backstabbing didn't get his supervisor fired and himself reinstated to his former position, he filed a discrimination lawsuit. The discrimination lawsuit makes these allegations about Sophie Cunningham and Josh Bartelstein because he is disclosing what he said to executive leadership about his supervisor spreading rumors. This seems to be a theme with DEI hires in the Phoenix Suns organization:

In November, Andrea Trischan sued the team, alleging racial discrimination and unlawful retaliation that led to her termination. Trischan was the team's former manager of diversity, equity and inclusion for about 10 months in 2022 and 2023.

Suns employee sues team, alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation

A current employee for the Phoenix Suns has sued the team, alleging discrimination, harassment based on race and unlawful retaliation.

www.abc15.com

I haven't looked at it in depth, but on the surface it looks like this was just calling the bluff on an attempted blackmail. I don't know how one's private sex life ties to a random employee getting demoted.

 

[Col. Angus]

Lucky ****er

 

[BankerCat12]

I have a boat. Might DM. Will keep you updated.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

I have a boat. Might DM. Will keep you updated.

 

[Tskware]

I am still confused.

Makes 2 of us. Girl is on a WNBA team, not the Phoenix Suns. What difference does it make to anybody?

 

[ukalumni00]

The WNBA needs more of this. Lots and lots of drama because that is about the only way most people may have an ounce of interest in it.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

The WNBA needs more of this. Lots and lots of drama because that is about the only way most people may have an ounce of interest in it.

This. The "flagrant" foul on CC against Angel was pure WWE crap.

Then you have dumba#$ ryan Clarke saying rg3 doesn't know what it's like for a black woman n this country because he married a white chick. Nevermind the fact rg3 has black sisters and of course a black mom. Lol we live n the movie Idiocracy n real life now.

 

[PopesReignOverCardinals]

Makes 2 of us. Girl is on a WNBA team, not the Phoenix Suns. What difference does it make to anybody?

The Phoenix Mercury (where Cunningham played prior to this season) is owned by the same group. The CEO of the Phoenix Suns is also the CEO of the Phoenix Mercury, the G-League's Valley Suns, and the PHX Arena.

 

[Tskware]

The WNBA needs more of this. Lots and lots of drama because that is about the only way most people may have an ounce of interest in it.

Actually, I think I read that the early games this year have had a lot more than usual TV audience.

Before you take this at face value, I must make Full Disclosure: Have never watched one minute of a WNBA game and have not watched an NBA game probably this century (I know for a fact I have never seen Lebron play, nor ever watched Kobe Bryant play a single game)

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

Phoenix shipped her off to the Indiana Fever at the end of January.