“2013 Atlanta Hawks 3” by RMTip21, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Fans made it the hottest Monday game of the season
|
The Atlanta Hawks are moving forward with their planned Magic City night, and ticket sales have made it one of the most in-demand games of the season. Despite a wave of criticism from players and fans, the event’s popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
According to TMZ Sports, the Hawks announced they will honor Magic City, the iconic Atlanta strip club, during their home game on March 16, 2026, against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena. The event is meant to acknowledge Magic City’s cultural impact on the city of Atlanta.
Not everyone has welcomed the tribute. San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet was among the most vocal critics, saying the tribute was disrespectful to women. He wrote that we “should promote an atmosphere that is protective, and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.” Golden State Warriors center Al Horford also backed Kornet’s position.
Ticket sales and a key voice of support suggest the backlash does not reflect the wider fan base
Despite the criticism, ticketing data tells a different story. The March 16 game is on pace to be the highest-selling Monday matchup by ticket volume this entire season, surpassing every other game except the MLK Day matchup in January. It is worth noting that off-court controversies have been shaking college basketball too, showing that sports headlines extend well beyond the game itself.
Ticket prices have also risen sharply, spiking 84% compared to where they stood a month ago, well before the Magic City announcement was made. The jump in both volume and price points to strong demand from fans.
Luke Kornet is requesting the Hawks cancel tonight’s “Magic City Monday” theme night with the iconic Atlanta strip club.
“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women.” pic.twitter.com/8gOuMlQ5zq
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 2, 2026
Not all players have been critical of the event. Warriors forward Draymond Green defended the Hawks, describing Magic City’s dancers as a form of art. Magic City manager JuJu Barney also addressed concerns, clarifying that fans should not expect any nudity at the game. He said it would be about “wings, music, and good vibes!”
The Hawks confirmed earlier this week that they are moving forward with the event as planned, showing no intention of backing down in the face of criticism. Questionable decision-making in sports leadership is not new, and how nepotism shaped Auburn’s coaching hire is one recent example that has drawn similar scrutiny.
With ticket sales setting records and prominent voices like Green pushing back on the backlash, the data suggests that most fans are eager for the night rather than opposed to it. So despite the controversy, this is going to be a successful night, at least finance-wise.