NBA Cancels Atlanta Hawks' 'Magic City Monday' Promotion Celebrating Strip Club
The National Basketball Association has officially canceled the Atlanta Hawks' planned theme night that was set to celebrate an iconic adult entertainment establishment in the city. The decision came on Monday, March 9, 2026, just one week before the scheduled March 16 event.
League Decision and Team Response
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement explaining the league's position. "When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks' scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale," Silver said. "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."
The Hawks organization expressed disappointment but accepted the league's decision. "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," the team stated on social media.
What Changes and What Remains
Despite the cancellation of the overall theme night, several elements of the original plan will proceed:
- Grammy Award-winning rapper T.I. will perform at halftime as originally scheduled
- Magic City's famous wings will still be available among the culinary options
- The game against the Orlando Magic will take place as planned
The team confirmed that the limited-edition Peachtree themed hoodie will no longer be available for purchase at the game, though all pre-ordered merchandise will be honored.
Player Criticism and Cultural Context
The promotion had drawn criticism from within the NBA community, most notably from San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet. The nine-year veteran wrote a blog post asking the Hawks to abandon their plans, arguing that "the NBA should desire to protect and esteem women" and that the league should promote a respectful atmosphere.
This criticism sparked debate, with former ESPN host Michelle Beadle accusing Kornet of parading as a "white knight" in defense of women. Beadle noted that the promotional event was spearheaded by Jami Gertz, a principal owner of the Hawks who produced the docuseries Magic City: An American Fantasy exploring the establishment's history in hip-hop and Black culture.
Historical Connection to the NBA
Magic City has previous connections to the NBA through a viral incident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta Hawks guard Lou Williams violated league protocols by visiting the establishment, though he claimed he only went for their "world-famous wings." This history added another layer to the current controversy surrounding the planned promotion.
The cancellation represents a significant decision by the NBA regarding what types of partnerships and promotions align with the league's values and community standards. While the Hawks sought to celebrate local Atlanta culture, the league determined that the association with an adult entertainment venue crossed boundaries that required intervention from league leadership.
