NBA Player Calls on Hawks to Cancel Magic City Promotion

Luke Kornet says the event would "reflect poorly" on the NBA community.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:55am

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San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has called on the Atlanta Hawks to cancel their upcoming collaboration with the adult entertainment club Magic City, saying it would "reflect poorly" on the NBA community and potentially lead to the objectification and mistreatment of women.

Why it matters

The Hawks' decision to partner with Magic City, which Kornet describes as "Atlanta's premier strip club," has raised concerns about the league's commitment to providing a family-friendly environment and celebrating communities in a responsible manner.

The details

In a blog post, Kornet noted that the Hawks' press release about the promotion "failed to acknowledge" that Magic City is a strip club. He argued that "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." Kornet called on the Hawks to cancel the promotion, which was set to include a live performance by Atlanta native T.I. and the sale of special chicken wings and a hoodie.

  • The Hawks announced the promotion last week.
  • The event was scheduled for March 16, during the Hawks' game against the Orlando Magic.

The players

Luke Kornet

A center for the San Antonio Spurs who has spoken out against the Hawks' planned promotion with Magic City, an adult entertainment club in Atlanta.

Atlanta Hawks

The NBA team that announced a promotion with the adult entertainment club Magic City, which has drawn criticism from Kornet and others.

Magic City

An adult entertainment club in Atlanta that the Hawks had planned to partner with for a promotion, which has been criticized by Kornet as potentially leading to the objectification and mistreatment of women.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Luke Kornet, San Antonio Spurs Center

“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.”

— Luke Kornet, San Antonio Spurs Center

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing debate within the NBA and professional sports leagues about the appropriate boundaries for partnerships and promotions, particularly when they involve adult entertainment businesses that may contribute to the objectification or exploitation of women. The league and its teams will likely face increasing scrutiny over such decisions and their potential impact on the league's image and values.