The Atlanta Hawks found themselves at the center of an unusual cultural debate after announcing plans to celebrate the city's legendary strip Club Magic City with a promotional "Magic City Monday" game against the Orlando Magic .
While the promotion was meant to highlight one of Atlanta 's most recognizable cultural institutions, not everyone took kindly to the franchise and the league allowing adult entertainment to be promoted on such a national scale.
San Antonio Spurs forward Luke Kornet was one of those who took offense and urged the league to cancel the promotional event, as it makes the NBA complicit in the "potential objectification and mistreatment" of women.
NBA legend Paul Pierce spoke on the No Fouls Given Podcast, explaining that Magic City is ingrained in Atlanta's culture and argued that many outsiders, like Kornet, often misunderstand what places like the club represent in the city.
"You have to understand they are daughters, wives and sisters, the women of Magic City in the entertainment field. And what you have to understand about Atlanta, this is part of their culture," said Pierce.
"Like when I played and when you look up in the stands and you see JD, Lil Boozy, all the hip-hop artists, this is their staple for their city," he added. "Now you don't have to be a guy that attends that or want to be associated with, but this is part of their DNA as a city."
Pierce's argument centers on the idea that Atlanta's nightlife and music industry are deeply intertwined with its sports culture. Magic City, which opened in the 1980s, has become a fixture among league players, most recently during the 2020 NBA Bubble, when then-Clippers player Lou Williams infamously violated bubble protocols to get their world-famous wings.
Pierce acknowledged that the environment may not appeal to everyone, but emphasized that the promotional event aims to reflect local culture rather than represent the league as a whole.
"This is a predominantly black city. And some of the things that we are accustomed to when we go to Atlanta are that people go to the clubs, people go to certain restaurants, like Atlanta is known as a city for adult entertainment," he explained.
" And this is just one of the most prestigious adult entertainment clubs that they have, not only in Atlanta, but probably known throughout the United States," continued Pierce.
For Pierce, Magic City Monday is intended to do no harm. It is only the same promotional tactic that some franchises have previously used to tie institutions to their cities' identities. After all, the league has also had relationships with companies that promote gambling and alcohol to their live broadcasts.
"I don't necessarily agree with Luke Kornet because the NBA, we promote a lot of things that are questionable at times and it's whatever. But at the end of the day, for me, this is Atlanta," explained Pierce.
"And I always tell people. Atlanta is not a real place. I feel like there's superhumans in Atlanta. Like seriously, 'cause they do things culturally that are not done around other parts of the United States," he added. "Like Atlanta never closed during the pandemic. They just do things different down there and we have to accept that."
Despite the criticism, the Hawks made it clear that no changes will be made and the promotional event will still continue on Monday.
Atlanta, who are currently in ninth place in the East with a 32-21 record, the event is simply a way for the team and fans to have some extra juice as they try to defeat the eight-seeded Magic and boost their playoff hopes.
Whether fans agree with the event or not, the event simply represents the city's undeniable ties to its adult entertainment establishments.
In Atlanta, these clubs are embraced as much as their basketball and for many, it was only right that the Hawks paid tribute.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
