The Suns lashed out in opposition to the allegations that CEO Josh Bartelstein, who additionally serves in the identical capability for the WNBA’s Mercury, had an affair with former Mercury star Sophie Cunningham, as alleged in a Might lawsuit by a member of the group.
Gene Traylor, the plaintiff and a Suns worker and former director of security, safety and danger administration, alleges {that a} colleague had been telling those who Bartelstein allegedly was having an affair with Cunningham
A fiery assertion by Suns senior vice chairman of communications Stacey Mitch referred to as out legal professional Sheree Wright, who’s one in every of two attorneys representing Traylor within the lawsuit.
Traylor is quoted within the lawsuit as having overheard {that a} colleague had been telling those who the married Bartelstein “is f–king Sophie Cunningham.”
“The current stories regarding Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are completely false and morally reprehensible. Let’s be completely clear in regards to the origin of those claims,” Mitch mentioned in a press release.
“Legal professional Sheree Wright, a private harm and immigration lawyer, at the moment serving a two 12 months probation with the Arizona State Bar for violating the foundations {of professional} conduct, sees a possibility due to the stories about earlier possession. Ms. Wright has now filed 4 separate lawsuits in opposition to the group, looking for over $140 million {dollars} in compensation. To this point, her instances have been dismissed by the Equal Employment Alternative Fee and Arizona Civil Rights Division or voluntarily withdrawn.
“She continues to insert salacious lies and fabrications into her complaints — figuring out that the media might report them as truth, as occurred yesterday — she hopes to coerce the Phoenix Suns into settling. Sheree Wright is not going to extort our group and by no means see a single greenback.
“We’ll pursue all out there authorized avenues and maintain these accountable for taking part within the unfold of deceptive and false narratives.”
The Suns launched their assertion following a bombshell lawsuit by Traylor, who continues to be with the group and beforehand labored as its director of security, safety and danger administration after becoming a member of in 2023, through which he alleges racial discrimination, harassment, illegal retaliation and safety points.
He alleges in his lawsuit in opposition to Suns Legacy Companions, LLC, that Cornelius Craig, the vice chairman of safety and danger administration for the franchises, had been telling individuals of an alleged affair.
The lawsuit alleges Craig “focused” Traylor, who was demoted to security and improvement coaching chief.
The lawsuit didn’t state the quantity Traylor is looking for.
“Plaintiff additionally shared with Bartelstein that Craig had been spreading damaging data that would jeopardize the group,” the lawsuit claims. “When Bartelstein requested Plaintiff to disclose what Craig was saying, Plaintiff defined that Craig had been telling others, ‘Josh Bartelstein is f–king Sophie Cunningham.’”
Cunningham, 28, landed with the Mercury and performed six seasons for the franchise earlier than being traded to the Fever this offseason.
The Mercury prolonged her final 12 months by way of the 2025 season earlier than shifting on.
Bartelstein, 35, joined the Suns and Mercury in 2023 and a press launch said he oversees enterprise operations for the franchise.
A November 2024 profile from phoenixmag.com mentioned he had been married two years as of November 2024 to his spouse Sydney, who he credited for permitting him to “love” his job.
“This job is extremely demanding. It’s the most effective job ever, however it’s lengthy hours, high-stress and -pressure, and public-facing. And I journey quite a bit,” Bartelstein informed the outlet. “Me and Sydney have completed it collectively, and she or he’s an enormous cause why I like what I get to do.”
The Suns have been sued 4 instances now up to now seven months by present or former staff, based on ESPN.
Andrea Trischan, the staff’s former program supervisor of range, fairness and inclusion, sued for $60 million in 2024 on the premise of allegations of harassment, racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination, per the outlet.
Jason Cope, a former staffer of the SunsVision division, alleged age discrimination and never being awarded his advantages and additional time, based on ESPN.
One Jane Doe reportedly additionally sued beneath allegations of racial and gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation by an ex-Suns worker.
“The widespread denominator is Sheree Wright. She is attempting to extort the Suns group,” a Suns spokeswoman informed ESPN final week. “Ms. Wright continues to recruit former and now present staff and is manipulating them to file meritless lawsuits.”
The Suns’ tradition got here beneath hearth throughout earlier proprietor Robert Sarver’s tenure, which included him receiving a $10 million high-quality and a one-year suspension in 2022 for racist and sexist actions.
Mat Ishbia then purchased the Suns and Mercury in 2023.
