NBA Cancels Atlanta Hawks “Magic City Night” Promotion After Criticism

The National Basketball Association has canceled a controversial promotional event planned by the Atlanta Hawks that would have celebrated one of Atlanta’s most well-known nightlife venues.

The promotion, called “Magic City Night,” had been scheduled for the Hawks’ March 16 home game against the Orlando Magic. The event was intended to highlight Magic City, a famous Atlanta strip club widely known for its influence on the city’s hip-hop culture.

According to plans released by the team, the themed night would have featured Magic City’s well-known lemon pepper wings served inside the arena, special merchandise tied to the club, and a halftime performance by Atlanta rapper T.I.. A live podcast discussing the venue’s cultural impact in Atlanta was also expected to be part of the festivities.

However, the promotion quickly sparked criticism from within the league.

Luke Kornet, a center for the San Antonio Spurs, publicly called for the event to be canceled. Kornet argued that celebrating a strip club during an NBA game was inappropriate and raised concerns about the treatment and objectification of women in the adult entertainment industry. He also said the promotion did not align with the NBA’s responsibility to maintain a safe and family-friendly environment for fans.

Following the backlash, the NBA stepped in and canceled the official “Magic City Night” branding after hearing concerns from players, fans, and league partners.

Despite the cancellation of the promotion, the March 16 game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic will still take place as scheduled, though the controversial theme will no longer be part of the event.