NBA teams are no strangers to partnering with brands to create special themed nights and memorable experiences for fans — and in most cases, those promotions come and go without much backlash. But this time, the theme itself raised eyebrows.
The Atlanta Hawks caught the basketball world's attention when they announced an upcoming "Magic City Night" — a themed game celebrating one of Atlanta's most iconic nightlife destinations.
While some fans view it as fun and lighthearted, San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet does not share that sentiment. He even issued an open letter to the Hawks, calling for the event to be canceled.
Opened since the mid-1980s, Magic City is a long-standing strip club in Atlanta that has been deeply woven into the city's sports and hip-hop culture. It's seen more as a pop-culture landmark of the city's nightlife scene than merely an adult entertainment venue.
With that cultural backdrop in mind, the Hawks decided to host a themed game celebrating Magic City as a cultural institution. Promotional plans included appearances from local music figures, serving the club's iconic chicken wings at the arena and selling exclusive merchandise. Clearly, the concept resonated strongly with fans, as tickets reportedly sold out quickly.
Kornet, however, views the event through a different lens.
In his open letter to the Hawks organization, he boldly asked them to reconsider their promotion, stating that it conflicts with the league's responsibility to foster a respectful environment. Additionally, he warned that celebrating a strip club, even indirectly, risks normalizing the objectification of women.
"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."
"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."
"Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected."
"I'd like to encourage the league, its owners, employees and fans to hold the Atlanta Hawks to a higher standard of what they find worthy of promoting."
"I and others throughout the league were surprised by and object to the Hawks' decision. 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 celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision."
Kornet made it clear that his intention wasn't to attack individuals or business interests. Instead, he stressed that the NBA should maintain certain standards, and allowing a franchise to pull off such promotions only lowers that bar.
Since the announcement, the promotion has sparked widespread debate across social media on different talk shows. Many are asking whether it is simply cultural recognition or an implicit endorsement. However, as of now, the Hawks have not announced any cancellations because, for many in the city, the Magic City is a part of Atlanta's identity.
Still, Kornet remains firm in his opposition.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
