Indiana Fever Star Sophie Cunningham Named in Lawsuit by Phoenix Mercury’s Former Director of Security
After the opening win in the WNBA 2025 season, the Indiana Fever franchise is looking to build on the emphatic win on the opening night against the Chicago Sky. But there is concerning news around the team’s star player, Sophie Cunningham, whose name was involved in a bombshell lawsuit that had been filed against Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein by the team’s former director of safety, security, and risk management, Gene Traylor, for racial discrimination.
The lawsuit alleges he was demoted in retaliation, as per reports from Front Office Sports. While Cunningham is not accused of racial discrimination, her name was also mentioned in the court document. The lawsuit alleges that Bartelstein had an ongoing affair with Sophie Cunningham while she was with the Phoenix Mercury.
It’s interesting to know that Bartelstein is also the CEO of the Phoenix Mercury from April 2023 and was married at the time. Cuningham played for six seasons with the Mercury franchise from 2019 to 2024, and in February 2025, she was traded to the Indiana Fever in a mega four-team deal.
Also Read: WNBA 2025: Early Predictions for Championship, MVP & Rookie of the Year Winners.
Josh Bartelstein, Sophie Cunningham or the Indiana Fever have yet to address the accusations publicly. But the Suns’ spokesperson gave a statement to ESPN regarding Traylor’s attorney, Sheree Wright.
“The Supreme Court of Arizona has twice disciplined attorney Sheree Wright for committing numerous violations of the rules of professional conduct. And she is currently serving a two-year probation with the State Bar of Arizona. This time, Ms. Wright and her client have made absurd accusations of misconduct surrounding the security department of the Phoenix Suns. These allegations are delusional and categorically false.”
So far, there have been four lawsuits filed against the Suns in the last six months. The allegations in previous lawsuits involve serious offences like retaliatory actions toward employees, hostile work environment and racial discrimination. The Mercury franchise went for a complete overhaul in the 2024 offseason after moving most of its coaching staff and players, like Cunningham.
At Indiana, Sophie Cunningham is yet to make her regular-season debut. While fans will be eager to see the 28-year-old star take the court, they will also be waiting for a reaction to the lawsuit in the coming days.
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