The NBA announced on Monday that it is canceling the Atlanta Hawks‘ planned Magic City promotional night, originally scheduled for March 16 at State Farm Arena. This decision comes after the league received extensive feedback from fans, employees, partners, and other stakeholders expressing unease about the event. The Hawks’ Magic City promotion was aimed at highlighting a local cultural landmark but faced significant opposition due to concerns surrounding the adult entertainment industry.
Commissioner Silver Addresses the Decision and Stakeholder Reactions
NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement explaining the league’s response:
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,”
Silver wrote.
“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.”
Atlanta Hawks Respond to Suspension of Magic City Night
The Atlanta Hawks expressed disappointment but said they respect the league’s ruling. The team emphasized their ongoing commitment to authentic celebrations of Atlanta culture that unite their community. In their official statement, the Hawks said,
“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.”
Despite the cancellation of the Magic City branding, some elements of the night will continue as planned. Pre-ordered merchandise related to the event will be delivered, but the Magic City-themed hoodie initially promoted will no longer be sold at the game. Additionally, Atlanta rapper T.I. is still slated to perform during halftime.
Background: What Is Magic City and Why Did It Spark Controversy?
Magic City is a well-known strip club in the Atlanta area, recognized as a cultural institution frequented by many musicians, celebrities, and NBA players. The Hawks had announced on February 26 that their home game against the Orlando Magic would serve as a Magic City-themed night, highlighting its influence on Atlanta’s music and entertainment scene.
However, backlash quickly arose, notably from San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet. Kornet published a blog post calling for the cancellation of Magic City night
“to ensure that the NBA remains a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone involved,”
citing “abuse, harassment, and violence” women endure in the adult entertainment industry as reasons the promotion was inappropriate.
Past NBA Incidents Involving Magic City
This is not the first time Magic City has intersected controversially with the NBA. In 2020, Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams was granted an approved absence from the NBA bubble in Orlando to attend a funeral in Atlanta but was photographed at Magic City by rapper Jack Harlow during that time. Williams claimed he was only there to pick up food. Magic City honors Williams with a menu item named after him — the
“Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ chicken wings.”
The NBA required Williams to quarantine for 10 days upon his return to the bubble. Those wings were planned to be served at Hawks games during Magic City night before the cancellation. According to the Hawks,
“the full array of award-winning culinary options available at State Farm Arena for Hawks games will be available, including wings.”
It remains unclear whether this includes the Magic City-branded wings or standard game-day offerings.
Implications of Cancellation and Community Responses
The cancellation of the Magic City event reflects the NBA’s effort to maintain an inclusive and respectful atmosphere throughout the league. With figures like Adam Silver and Luke Kornet highlighting the concerns raised, this decision signals a shift toward being more sensitive to the complex issues tied to adult entertainment culture. The Hawks are now tasked with celebrating Atlanta’s unique identity in ways that foster unity rather than division.
Moving forward, the Hawks’ approach to cultural promotions will likely come under greater scrutiny, as the organization balances celebrating local heritage with the expectations of a diverse fanbase, league officials, and partners. The Magic City cancellation marks a notable example of the NBA prioritizing community values over marketing initiatives, which could influence future events across the league.
The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/jzbUW8t73Y
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) March 9, 2026
