NBA Commissioner Pulls Plug on Atlanta Hawks Strip Club Promotion
The NBA just called foul on a planned Atlanta Hawks game celebrating famed strip club Magic City.
While the team was set to host the Orlando Magic on March 16 for a night dubbed "Magic City Monday"—paying tribute to the ATL gentleman's club—NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Monday that it's been canceled.
"When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks' scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale," said Silver in a statement to ESPN. "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 statement concluded: "I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community."
In the comments on ESPN reporter Shams Charania's Instagram post about the decision, Magic City commented, "Appreciate all the support ????????????."
The Hawks responded to the move, too, saying in their own statement that "while we are very disappointed in the NBA's decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect its decision." The team added, "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."
While the night wouldn't have featured the club's infamous dancers, it promised a halftime performance from T.I., the establishment's "World Famous" wings and co-branded merch.
The hope was to celebrate what the Hawks called a "cultural institution."
A spokesperson for the Atlanta team previously told The Athletic the "Magic City Monday" announcement generated a 90% positive engagement rate on social media, adding that advance ticket sales were booming.
Kornet Pleads for 'Magic City Monday' Cancelation
The night was also hit with controversy, however, with San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet calling on the NBA to reconsider the tribute.
"In its press release, the Hawks failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, 'Atlanta'’'s premier strip club.' Given this fact, I would like to respectfully ask that the Atlanta Hawks cancel this promotional night with Magic City," Kornet wrote in a post shared to Medium.
"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," he continued. "We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love."
Kornet also said he felt the night "would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society."
Al Horford of the Golden State Warriors co-signed Kornet's criticism, sharing his post and adding, "Well said Luke."
Well said Luke. pic.twitter.com/pGHxezOC1b
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) March 3, 2026