The NBA is canceling a controversial promotion involving the Atlanta Hawks and a prominent strip club, saying it heard concerns from fans and others across the league and believes the move is the “right decision.”
The promotion had been scheduled for March 16 as part of “Magic City Monday,” a partnership between the Hawks and Magic City, an Atlanta establishment that calls itself the city’s premier strip club. The Hawks, though, avoided that label in social media posts and news releases, instead describing the venue as an “iconic cultural institution.” The team said the night would include the club’s famous wings and newly designed “Magic City” merchandise, as well as music from DJ Esco, a resident DJ at the club.
The Hawks may have thought they could wink their way through the promotion since their opponent that night is the Orlando Magic, a team sharing the same name. But the plan quickly drew backlash after veteran center Luke Kornet of the Sacramento Kings spoke out and urged the team to cancel it.
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”
Jami Gertz, the Hawks’ principal owner, previously produced a Starz documentary about Magic City. The Hawks had invited fans to enter the arena early for a live podcast recording where the founder of Magic City, along with Gertz and others, would discuss the documentary and the “impact of the club on Atlanta music, sports and culture.”
The Hawks on Monday announced that the game will still feature wings – but that the merchandise and podcast recording have been scrapped.
“While we are very disappointed in the NBA’s decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect its decision,” the Hawks said Monday. “As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta – with authenticity – in ways that continue to unite and bring us all together.”
Kornet, a devout Catholic, had asserted the promotion would “reflect poorly on the NBA.”
“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world,” Kornet wrote in a blog. “We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers and partners that we know and love. … Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected.”
Others connected to the NBA, including former player Al Horford, sided with Kornet.
“Well said Luke,” Horford wrote in a social media post.
(Image credit: X / @atlhawks)