The NBA has officially canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ Magic City Night promotion, initially scheduled for March 16 at their home arena in Atlanta. The event involved a partnership with a local strip club, igniting widespread criticism that led to the league’s intervention.
Commissioner Silver Addresses Cancellation Amid Concerns
NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke about the decision after the league investigated the Hawks’ plans. He explained that, although the team’s leadership shared their intentions, feedback from multiple stakeholders—including fans, partners, and employees—raised significant concerns.
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,”
Silver said.
“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.”
Details of the Planned Event and Public Reaction
The Hawks had announced that the Magic City Night would coincide with a game against the Orlando Magic, featuring a live performance by rapper and Atlanta native T.I., along with special food and merchandise inspired by the club. The strip club’s distinctive chicken wings, which gained notoriety when player Lou Williams left the NBA bubble in 2020 to get some, were also set to be served in two flavors.
Despite the Hawks’ clarification that no dancers would appear at the event, NBA player Luke Kornet authored a blog titled “Concerning the Atlanta Hawks,” arguing the promotion could damage the NBA community by appearing to condone the objectification and mistreatment of women.
“would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
—Luke Kornet, NBA Player
Current Season Context and Upcoming Games
With the cancellation confirmed, the Hawks’ game on March 16 against the Magic will proceed as scheduled, with tip-off set for 7 p.m. ET, live on Peacock. At 33-31 on the season, Atlanta sits ninth in the Eastern Conference standings, holding a slim 1.5-game lead over the Charlotte Hornets for the final play-in tournament spot. Their next contest is a home game against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
Broader Implications of the Cancellation
This cancellation highlights the NBA’s sensitivity to its image and the concerns of its diverse community, emphasizing the league’s commitment to addressing issues associated with endorsements and promotions. The Hawks’ withdrawal from the event may signal a shift toward more careful scrutiny of collaborations to avoid alienating fans and stakeholders going forward.
Statement from NBA commissioner Adam Silver: “When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale. While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have… https://t.co/mI3d9qvAF1
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 9, 2026
