The NBA has canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ planned Magic City promotional night, an upcoming game promotion built around the infamous Atlanta strip club that drew backlash last week from players, partners and fans. “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.” The promotion had been planned for the Hawks’ March 16 game against the Orlando Magic and was set to feature Magic City’s lemon pepper wings, themed merchandise and a halftime performance from T.I. The team had described the club as an “iconic Atlanta institution.” But the event quickly drew criticism from many who had an issue with an NBA game night turning into a promotion for a well-known adult entertainment venue. San Antonio Spurs player Luke Kornet published a public letter urging the Hawks and the NBA to cancel the event. “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. We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love,” Kornet wrote. “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.” Several other players, including Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac and Golden State Warriors’ Al Horford, also shared Kornet’s letter on social media, adding to the backlash.
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