The NBA has officially canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ upcoming Magic City promotional night, following widespread public backlash and direct concerns raised by league stakeholders, according to a statement released by the organization. The event, initially scheduled for a March 16 home game against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena, was designed to honor the prominent Atlanta adult entertainment venue as a cultural anchor of the city’s hip-hop history. Instead, the league intervened after receiving pushback from various figures within the basketball community, most notably San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet.
“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 wrote in an official statement provided to the public. “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.”
Backlash and the Push for Cancellation
The controversy began shortly after the Hawks initially announced the promotional night on Feb. 26. The franchise intended to celebrate Magic City as an iconic local institution that has long served as a hub for high-profile musicians, local celebrities, and NBA players. However, the connection to an adult entertainment venue drew immediate criticism from observers concerned about the appropriateness of the partnership.
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet emerged as the most prominent public voice against the event. Writing on his personal blog, Kornet called on the Hawks to scrap the theme night to ensure the league remained a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone involved. He specifically pointed to the history of abuse, harassment, and violence experienced by women in the adult entertainment industry as reasons why the promotional night was ill-suited for a major professional sports league. While the league’s official statements did not explicitly name Kornet, his public critique galvanized opposition among various stakeholders.
The Atlanta Hawks responded to the league’s decision by releasing a statement expressing disappointment while confirming they would abide by the ruling. “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,” the team said.
What Remains of the Scheduled Night
Despite the cancellation of the overarching theme and branding, certain elements tied to the event will proceed as planned during the March 16 fixture at State Farm Arena. Pre-ordered merchandise will still be delivered to fans who purchased it, though the Magic City-themed hoodie originally promoted by the organization will not be available for sale at the venue on game night. Additionally, Atlanta-based rapper T.I. is still scheduled to perform at halftime.
The matchup also carries a unique piece of recent NBA history regarding the club. In 2020, Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams made headlines when he visited Magic City during an approved absence from the league’s competitive bubble in Orlando. Although Williams maintained he visited solely to pick up food—specifically the venue’s famous “Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ chicken wings” named in his honor—the excursion resulted in a mandatory 10-day quarantine before he could return to the floor. While the Hawks noted that State Farm Arena’s standard award-winning culinary options, including wings, will be fully available to attendees, it remains unclear whether the specific Magic City flavor profiles will be served.
The Atlanta Hawks return to regular-season play as they look past the canceled promotion and focus on their upcoming schedule on the hardwood.
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