Trending Now - NBA Halts Hawks' Magic City Event Amid Backlash

WHO:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, "I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community."

Luke Kornet, center for the San Antonio Spurs, wrote in a blog post, "The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision."

Al Horford, center for the Golden State Warriors, reposted Kornet’s letter with the caption, "Well said Luke."

Michael Barney, founder of Magic City, was involved in the planned podcast recording.

Jami Gertz, principal owner of the Atlanta Hawks, was a producer for a five-part docuseries titled "Magic City: An American Fantasy."

Luke Kornet, center for the San Antonio Spurs, wrote a blog post on March 2nd, 2026, urging the Hawks to cancel the promotional night.

Jonathan Kuminga, forward for the Atlanta Hawks

TI, Atlanta native and musician, was scheduled to perform live music at the event.

Al Horford, center for the Golden State Warriors, reposted Luke Kornet’s letter with a supportive caption.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver

Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kornet, center for the San Antonio Spurs

Jami Gertz, principal owner of the Atlanta Hawks

WHAT:

The Hawks announced that a "limited-edition Peachtree-themed hoodie" emblazoned with "MAGIC CITY" was planned for sale but will no longer be available for purchase at the game on March 16th, 2026.

The Hawks confirmed that a halftime performance from rapper T.I. will still take place, and lemon pepper wings will be sold at the game.

The Hawks stated that some elements of the plans for the night will remain, including a halftime performance from rapper T.I. and the sale of lemon pepper wings.

Plans for merchandise related to the event have been scrapped, along with the live recording of a podcast that was to feature Jami Gertz, T.I., and Michael Barney.

The Hawks expressed their disappointment in a statement, saying, "While we are very disappointed in the NBA’s decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect its decision."

The Hawks planned to include a live music performance by TI at the event.

The Hawks expressed disappointment in the NBA's decision to cancel the "Magic City Night" promotion, stating, "As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta – with authenticity – in ways that continue to unite and bring us together."

The Hawks planned to include a live Magic City-themed podcast to be taped with early-arriving fans at the game.

The NBA canceled the Atlanta Hawks' "Magic Monday" promotion.

The promotion was scheduled to celebrate the Magic City strip club on March 16th, 2026.

The Hawks planned to feature food, including the club's famous lemon pepper wings, music, and exclusive merchandise.

Adam Silver stated, "I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community."

Luke Kornet urged reconsideration of the event, stating it could reflect poorly on the NBA community.

WHERE:

Atlanta, Georgia

Magic City strip club

WHEN:

The tribute game was scheduled for March 16th, 2026, against the Orlando Magic.

The promotion was scheduled for March 16th, 2026.

The announcement of the promotion was made in February 2026.

WHY:

The NBA canceled the promotion in response to "significant concerns" from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners, and employees.

The NBA's decision to cancel the promotion was in response to "significant concerns" from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners, and employees.

Luke Kornet stated in his blog post, "Given this fact, I would like to respectfully ask that the Atlanta Hawks cancel this promotional night with Magic City."

Luke Kornet emphasized the need for the NBA community to promote an atmosphere that respects women, stating, "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."

The NBA responded to significant concerns from fans, partners, and employees regarding the promotion.

Luke Kornet expressed that promoting a strip club could lead to the objectification and mistreatment of women.

HOW:

The NBA reached out to Hawks leadership to understand their plans and rationale before deciding to cancel the promotion, as stated by Adam Silver.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, "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."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, "When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale."

The NBA reached out to Hawks leadership to understand their plans and rationale before deciding to cancel the promotion, as stated by Adam Silver.

The NBA reached out to Hawks leadership to understand their plans and rationale before deciding to cancel the promotion.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 19:16 UTC)

Today, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the cancellation of a planned promotion by the Atlanta Hawks, stating it was the right decision for the broader NBA community. This decision comes after significant concerns were raised by fans, partners, and employees regarding the Hawks' limited-edition Peachtree-themed hoodie featuring "MAGIC CITY," although a halftime performance by rapper T.I. will still take place during the game against the Orlando Magic on March 16. In a blog post, San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet expressed that the celebration of a strip club does not align with the NBA's vision, a sentiment echoed by Golden State Warriors center Al Horford.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 17:16 UTC)

In a significant development, the NBA has decided to cancel the planned tribute game scheduled for March 16 against the Orlando Magic due to "significant concerns" raised by fans, partners, and employees. While some elements of the event will still take place, such as a halftime performance from rapper T.I. and the sale of lemon pepper wings, the live podcast recording featuring Jami Gertz, T.I., and Michael Barney has been scrapped along with related merchandise. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the league's commitment to addressing these concerns, stating that they appreciate the team's perspective but must prioritize the voices of their stakeholders.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 09:08 UTC)

Today, the Atlanta Hawks expressed their disappointment after the NBA canceled their planned "Magic City Night" promotion, which was set to feature a live performance by TI. This decision came in response to a blog post from Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs, who urged the Hawks to reconsider the event. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted that the league reached out to the Hawks to understand their plans before making the decision to cancel.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 05:19 UTC)

The Atlanta Hawks expressed their disappointment over the NBA's cancellation of the "Magic City Night" promotion, emphasizing their commitment to celebrating Atlanta's culture in a way that unites the community. The event was set to feature a live performance by Atlanta native TI and a Magic City-themed podcast with fans, highlighting the Hawks' efforts to create an inclusive atmosphere. In response to the situation, Luke Kornet stressed the importance of promoting a respectful environment for all fans, as the NBA leadership sought to understand the Hawks' plans before making their decision.

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 23:13 UTC)

The NBA has officially canceled the Atlanta Hawks' "Magic Monday" promotion, which was set to celebrate the Magic City strip club on March 16, 2026. Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the decision was made in response to significant concerns from fans and partners, while Spurs center Luke Kornet urged reconsideration, highlighting potential negative implications for the NBA community. The Hawks had planned to feature food, music, and exclusive merchandise for the event, but the league felt it was best to prioritize the broader interests of the NBA.