Sophie Cunningham (Photo By Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Sophie Cunningham didn’t ask for this kind of attention. Just weeks after joining the Indiana Fever, the 28-year-old guard found herself at the center of a firestorm. A lawsuit involving her former team, the Phoenix Suns, dragged her name into a deeply personal accusation, one she firmly denies.

Former Suns director of safety, Gene Traylor, filed the lawsuit. He accused Suns executive Cornelius Craig of spreading a damaging rumor about Cunningham. According to court documents, Craig told others that Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein was “f—— Sophie Cunningham.” Traylor included the claim in a legal complaint against the organization but admitted he had never met Cunningham himself.

Fans Rally Behind Cunningham

Sophie Cunningham (Photo By Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Cunningham didn’t stay silent. On Wednesday, May 21, she released a statement on social media and addressed the situation head-on.

“I am deeply saddened by the recent false accusations made against me by Gene Traylor, someone I do not know and have never met,” she wrote on X. “Let me be clear: his statements are untrue and extremely hurtful.”

She called out several media outlets for running with the story without contacting her for a response. “In this instance, it feels irresponsible that I was never asked for a comment about the accusation before several clickbait stories went to print,” she said.

Cunningham made it clear she plans to stay focused on her game, her team, and her supporters. “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,” she added.

Fans wasted no time showing their support. One wrote, “Love you Sophie — seems they are all trying to take the Fever down.”

Another pointed to the lack of support from the league, saying, “WNBA media coverage is unfortunately utter trash. So sorry that this happened to you. Much love”

“I’m so sorry this is happening to you, Sophie,” a fan commented.

Cunningham missed the Fever’s season opener against the Sky and Tuesday night’s matchup with the Atlanta Dream due to injury. The team expects her back soon. In the meantime, fans continue to stand behind her, not just as a player, but as a person navigating an unfair spotlight.