Luke Kornet, center for the San Antonio Spurs, publicly urged the Atlanta Hawks to withdraw an upcoming collaboration with Magic City, an adult entertainment club in Atlanta. The announcement of the promotion, scheduled for March 16 during the Hawks’ game against the Orlando Magic, surprised both Kornet and several NBA players, raising questions about the appropriateness of the event.
Player Highlights Potential Harm in Promoting Strip Club
In a blog post, Kornet emphasized that holding the event
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 also pointed out that many women associated with the adult entertainment industry suffer abuse and violence, experiences that deserve attention and respect rather than glamorization.
Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected,
Kornet wrote, underscoring the serious implications tied to endorsing such an establishment.
Criticism of Hawks’ Promotional Messaging
The Hawks had revealed that the promotion would feature a live performance by Atlanta rapper T.I., special versions of Magic City’s well-known chicken wings, and an exclusive hoodie for fans. However, Kornet criticized the Hawks’ press release for omitting the fact that Magic City openly markets itself as
‘Atlanta’s premier strip club.’
He argued that this omission glossed over critical concerns surrounding the venue’s nature.
Kornet Calls for Safe and Respectful Fan Environment
Expressing his vision for the NBA’s community and fan experience, Kornet wrote,
We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience,
adding emphatically,
The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.
His statement reflects a call for the Hawks to reconsider the partnership to uphold an inclusive and respectful atmosphere for all supporters.
