Hawks’ ‘Magic City Monday’ Promotion to Feature Lemon Pepper Wings, T.I. Performance, and Live Podcast Taping
The Atlanta Hawks sparked debate across the NBA after announcing a themed promotion tied to the city’s iconic Magic City nightclub.
The team confirmed that its March 16 home matchup against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena will double as “Magic City Monday,” a special event celebrating the cultural influence of the famed Atlanta establishment.
The promotion is set to include specialty lemon pepper wings inspired by the club’s well known menu, exclusive co branded merchandise, a halftime performance by Atlanta rapper T.I., and a live taping of the Hawks podcast. The podcast recording is expected to feature comedian DC Young Fly, T.I., and Magic City owner Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney.
“We doin’ this one for the city… Magic City,” said T.I.
While many fans reacted with humor and curiosity on social media, the promotion has also drawn criticism from within the league.
Spurs Player Luke Kornet Raises Concerns
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet publicly objected to the event and urged the Atlanta Hawks to reconsider the promotion.
In a letter addressing the team and the league, Kornet argued that the NBA should set a higher standard for how it represents women.
“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women,” Kornet wrote.
He continued by calling on league leadership, teams, and fans to promote an environment that reflects respect and dignity.
Kornet added that the league should help foster “an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.”
The Spurs player also encouraged the NBA community to hold the Hawks accountable for the message he believes the promotion sends.
“I’d like to encourage the league, its owners, employees and fans to hold the Atlanta Hawks to a higher standard of what they find worthy of promoting,” he wrote.
Other NBA Players Support Kornet’s Statement
Kornet’s comments quickly circulated across social media and received support from fellow NBA players.
Well said Luke. pic.twitter.com/pGHxezOC1b
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) March 3, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward Al Horford, who previously played alongside Kornet during their time with the Boston Celtics and earlier in his career with the Atlanta Hawks, reposted the letter on X.
“Well said Luke,” Horford wrote in response.
Hawks Moving Forward With Event
Despite the backlash, the Atlanta Hawks appear committed to moving forward with the themed promotion.
According to Front Office Sports, the team is intentionally avoiding explicit references to Magic City’s strip club reputation in official promotional materials.
Instead, the event focuses on the cultural significance the establishment has had within Atlanta’s nightlife, music, and entertainment scenes.
Fans attending the game will be able to purchase a co branded Magic City Hawks hoodie and sample the club’s famous lemon pepper wings inside the arena.
Magic City will be serving two versions of the lemon pepper wings, including the ones named for former Hawks guard Lou Williams.
Entertainment during the game will include a halftime performance by rapper T.I., who has longstanding ties to Atlanta’s music scene.
Team Ownership Defends Collaboration
Jami Gertz, the principal owner of the Atlanta Hawks and a producer of the recent Magic City documentary titled Magic City: An American Fantasy, defended the collaboration.
In a statement, Gertz described the promotion as a tribute to a cultural institution that has shaped Atlanta’s identity.
“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ‘Magic City: An American Fantasy,’” Gertz said.
“The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”
Debate Highlights Divide in Sports Integrity
The controversy surrounding “Magic City Monday” reflects a broader cultural divide about the intersection of sports, entertainment, and nightlife.
For some fans, the promotion represents a lighthearted nod to a venue that has played a role in Atlanta’s music and cultural history. Magic City has long been associated with the city’s hip hop scene and has been referenced by numerous artists over the years.
Others, including Kornet, argue that aligning a professional sports franchise with a brand tied to adult entertainment raises concerns about the image the league presents to its audience.
At the same time, some critics of the backlash say the outrage nonsense. They point out that the NBA and other major sports leagues have widely embraced sports betting partnerships with companies such as FanDuel and Kalshi. Those observers argue that if gambling is now openly integrated into professional sports, a promotional partnership tied to a well known nightlife institution should not be treated as uniquely controversial.
With the game approaching, the debate continues across the NBA community as players, fans, and commentators weigh in on whether the promotion celebrates Atlanta culture or crosses a line for a family oriented sports league.
