Jason OwensStaff writer

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3 min read

Sophie Cunningham has joined the Phoenix Suns in denouncing a claim in a lawsuit that CEO Josh Bartelstein had an affair with the former Mercury player.

The Suns issued their denial in a statement from communications executive Stacey Mitch on Tuesday in response to a lawsuit filed by former Suns security director Gene Traylor.

"The recent reports concerning Josh Bartelstein and Sophie Cunningham are entirely false and morally reprehensible,” the statement reads. “Let’s absolutely be clear about the origins of these claims.”

On Wednesday, Cunningham issued a separate statement on social media denouncing the "untrue and extremely hurtful" statements made by someone "I do not know and have never met."

"I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met," Cunningham's statement reads. "Let me be clear his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful. ...

"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."

Traylor, a current employee of the Suns, sued the team last week, alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation. ESPN first reported the lawsuit. The claim of an affair between Bartelstein and Cunningham is mentioned in passing but is not the focus of the lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, Traylor claims that the Suns demoted him from his role as director of safety, security and risk...

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