Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:20pm

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Mr. Magic, the owner of the famed Magic City strip club in Atlanta, has responded after the NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ ‘Magic City Monday’ promotion. Mr. Magic says the event was supposed to be just about chicken wings and the name, not the dancers. Meanwhile, retired Magic City dancer GiGi Maguire expressed disappointment over the collaboration falling through, defending Magic City as more than just a strip club.

Why it matters

The canceled ‘Magic City Monday’ promotion highlights the ongoing debate around the role of strip clubs and the adult entertainment industry in mainstream sports and entertainment. While some see Magic City as a cultural institution fueling Atlanta’s creative economy, others view it as inappropriate for an NBA partnership.

The details

Mr. Magic says the NBA and critics assumed the dancers of Magic City would be making an appearance during the halftime performance, which was not the case. He confirmed his team would still be in attendance for the game, but the club’s popular lemon pepper wings would not be served. Retired Magic City dancer GiGi Maguire spoke out, sharing her disappointment over the collaboration falling through and defending Magic City as more than just a strip club.

The ‘Magic City Monday’ promotion was supposed to take place on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The players

Mr. Magic

The owner of the famed Magic City strip club in Atlanta.

GiGi Maguire

A retired Magic City dancer who is now a podcaster, and who defended the club as more than just a strip club.

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner who canceled the ‘Magic City Monday’ promotion.

Luke Kornet

A San Antonio Spurs player who opposed the NBA’s collaboration with Magic City, stating the league should ‘desire to protect and esteem women’.

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What’s next

The NBA has not indicated any plans to revisit a partnership with Magic City in the future.

The takeaway

The canceled ‘Magic City Monday’ promotion highlights the ongoing debate around the role of strip clubs and the adult entertainment industry in mainstream sports and entertainment. While some see Magic City as a cultural institution, others view it as inappropriate for an NBA partnership.