The NBA stepped in to cancel the Atlanta Hawks’ planned collaboration with local strip club Magic City.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement Monday indicating that his office decided to scrap the promotion.
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” Silver said. “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.”
“Magic City Monday” was an in-arena promotion scheduled for March 16 when the Hawks host the Orlando Magic. It was scheduled to feature a performance from rapper and Atlanta native T.I., and Magic City’s chicken wings would be available for purchase.
There were no plans to host adult entertainment in the arena, but concerns arose over the idea of partnering with a strip club. San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet urged the Hawks to cancel the promotion because the idea “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
The Hawks announced later Monday that the T.I. halftime performance would proceed as scheduled, but other parts of the promotion would be scrapped.
“While we are very disappointed in the NBA’s decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect their decision,” the Hawks said in a statement. “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.”
–Field Level Media
