Hawks Criticized for Magic City Promotional Night

The team's plan to honor the iconic Atlanta strip club sparks debate over morality and family-friendly events.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 8:18pm

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The Atlanta Hawks are facing backlash over plans to hold a promotional night honoring Magic City, a renowned strip club in the city. While the team says the event will focus on the "G-rated" aspects of Magic City, like its famous lemon pepper wings, some players and fans have objected on moral grounds, arguing it could lead to the objectification of women. The Hawks maintain the promotion is in line with the franchise's history with the club, but acknowledge the need to be careful in how they execute it.

Why it matters

The debate highlights the complexities around how professional sports teams navigate partnerships with adult entertainment establishments, balancing business interests with social responsibility, especially when it comes to family-friendly events.

The details

The Hawks' plan to hold a promotional night with Magic City, a popular Atlanta strip club, has sparked a polarized debate. Some, like Hawks player Luke Kornet, believe the event "would reflect poorly" and be "complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women." However, the Hawks say the promotion will not involve any of the club's dancers and will focus on "G-rated" aspects like its food. The team's co-owner Jami Gertz has even produced a documentary about Magic City's legacy in Atlanta.

  • The promotional night is scheduled for an upcoming Hawks game.

The players

Luke Kornet

An Atlanta Hawks player who has objected to the team's plans to hold a promotional night with Magic City strip club.

Al Horford

A Hawks legend who has joined Kornet in opposing the promotional night, believing it "would reflect poorly" on the NBA community.

Jami Gertz

A co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks who has produced a documentary about the legacy of Magic City strip club in Atlanta.

Atlanta Hawks

The NBA franchise planning to hold a promotional night honoring the Magic City strip club.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Hawks are working to ensure the promotional night focuses on the "G-rated" aspects of Magic City and does not involve any of the strip club's dancers, in an effort to address concerns raised by players and fans.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the delicate balance professional sports teams must strike when partnering with adult entertainment establishments, as they seek to honor local culture and history while also maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere. The Hawks' handling of this situation will be closely watched as a test case for how teams can navigate such sensitive issues.