NBA Cancels Atlanta Hawks ‘Magic City Monday’ Promotion After League Concerns
The NBA has stepped in and canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ planned “Magic City Monday” promotion, shutting down the themed night just days before it was scheduled to take place at State Farm Arena.
The event was originally intended to highlight Magic City, the well known Atlanta gentleman’s club that has long been associated with the city’s hip hop culture. The Hawks described the concept as a tribute to a local cultural institution.
But the league announced Monday that the promotion would not move forward after leadership heard concerns from a wide range of stakeholders.
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
“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. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”
What The ‘Magic City Monday’ Event Was Supposed To Include
Before it was canceled, the promotion was set to include several collaborations tied to the club’s cultural influence in Atlanta.
Plans included specialty wings from the Magic City kitchen, a collaborative Peachtree hoodie, a live halftime performance from Atlanta rapper T.I. and a recording of the Hawks AF official podcast featuring T.I., comedian DC YoungFly and Magic City founder Michael “Magic” Barney.
After the NBA’s decision, the Hawks confirmed that fans who pre ordered merchandise would still receive the hoodies and the specialty wings. However, the live podcast recording has been canceled along with the rest of the event programming.
“While we are very disappointed in the NBA’s decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect its decision,” the Hawks said in a statement.
“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.”
Players Raise Concerns About Message To Women
Even before the league’s announcement, some NBA players had voiced concerns about the promotion and the message it could send.
San Antonio Spurs player Luke Kornet wrote a letter criticizing the idea of hosting an event tied to an adult entertainment venue. “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,” Kornet wrote.
“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 argued that allowing the promotion to move forward could reflect poorly on the league.
“Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society,” he wrote.
Former Hawks player Al Horford echoed similar concerns about the concept.
Promotion Avoided Mentioning Adult Entertainment
Notably, none of the Hawks’ promotional materials referenced dancers or the club’s status as an adult entertainment venue. Instead, the focus was placed on Magic City’s broader cultural footprint in Atlanta’s music and nightlife scene.
The club has been a central location in the city’s hip hop history for decades and has frequently been referenced by artists, athletes and entertainers.
There was also a connection between Hawks ownership and the club’s legacy. Hawks principal owner Jami Gertz produced the documentary series “Magic City: An American Fantasy,” which explored the club’s role in shaping Atlanta’s hip hop culture.
Follows Earlier Controversy Over ‘Magic City Monday’
The cancellation comes shortly after the promotion itself drew widespread attention and debate when it was first announced, as previously reported.
Critics questioned whether celebrating a strip club inside an NBA arena aligned with the league’s brand and values, while supporters argued Magic City represents a longstanding part of Atlanta’s cultural identity.
The NBA ultimately sided with critics of the promotion, deciding that moving forward with the event would not be in the best interest of the league.
