The NBA has officially canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ planned Magic City Night event, which aimed to honor the legendary Atlanta strip club. The move came after considerable concerns surfaced from various league stakeholders. The original celebration, announced last month, was set to feature Magic City’s popular lemon pepper wings, a live performance by Atlanta rapper TI, and special merchandise showcasing the club’s cultural influence.
Following the announcement, the campaign faced criticism from players and the league community, prompting NBA leadership to review the situation carefully.
Players and NBA Leadership Express Opposition to the Promotion
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet publicly opposed the event, urging reconsideration. His objections, along with feedback from fans, partners, and NBA employees, influenced the league’s decision. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the league reached out to Hawks management to evaluate the rationale behind the celebration. Silver emphasized the need to consider community concerns before moving forward.
When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,
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.
Kornet explained in a Medium post that endorsing the promotion
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 added,
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,
continuing,
The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.
Golden State Warriors center Al Horford, who spent nine seasons with the Hawks, supported Kornet by reposting his message with the comment, Well said Luke.
Magic City’s Cultural Significance Recognized by Celebrities and Owners
Despite the controversy, Magic City holds a prominent place in Atlanta’s music and cultural landscape. Artists such as Drake, Quavo, and 2 Chainz have praised the club’s influence on hip-hop and celebrity culture. Basketball legends Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal have visited Magic City, while Atlanta United, the city’s MLS team, celebrated its 2018 championship at the venue.
Jami Gertz, Hawks principal owner and producer of a documentary series about Magic City’s history and cultural role, expressed a personal connection to the project. She described the collaboration for Magic City Night as significant following her work on the series.
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.
Implications of the Cancellation for NBA and Community Relations
The cancellation of the Magic City Night reflects the NBA’s cautious approach toward balancing cultural celebration with community standards and inclusivity. The league’s decision highlights sensitivity toward concerns about promoting venues that some perceive as conflicting with values around respect and safety for fans and players alike.
Going forward, the NBA and its teams may approach culturally themed events with increased scrutiny to ensure they align with broader league goals of fostering a welcoming environment for all age groups. With the scheduled game against the Orlando Magic next Monday now proceeding without the tribute, the Hawks and the league will likely consider alternative ways to honor Atlanta’s cultural heritage with wider community support.
Well said Luke. pic.twitter.com/pGHxezOC1b
— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) March 3, 2026
