NBA Cancels Atlanta Hawks' Strip Club Collaboration After Backlash

The league cites concerns from fans, partners and employees in scrapping the planned "Magic City Monday" promotion.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The NBA has canceled the Atlanta Hawks' planned collaboration with the famed Magic City adult entertainment club, citing concerns from a "broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees." The Hawks had announced the "Magic City Monday" promotion in late February, which was set to feature a halftime performance by Atlanta-based artist T.I., a collaborative hoodie, and the offering of some of the club's popular wings. However, the decision sparked backlash, with San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet publicly asking the Hawks to cancel the event, saying it would "reflect poorly on us as an NBA community." The Hawks say they are "disappointed" with the NBA's decision but will respect it.

Why it matters

The planned collaboration between the Hawks and Magic City, a well-known Atlanta strip club, raised concerns about the potential objectification and mistreatment of women. The NBA's decision to cancel the event reflects the league's efforts to address such issues and maintain a family-friendly image.

The details

The Hawks had announced the "Magic City Monday" promotion, which was set to feature a halftime performance by Atlanta-based artist T.I., a collaborative hoodie, and the offering of some of the club's popular wings. However, the decision sparked backlash, with San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet publicly asking the Hawks to cancel the event, saying it would "reflect poorly on us as an NBA community." The NBA ultimately decided to cancel the collaboration, citing concerns from a "broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees."

  • The Hawks announced the "Magic City Monday" promotion in late February 2026.
  • The NBA canceled the collaboration on Monday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Adam Silver

The NBA commissioner who acknowledged concerns from others in the league and made the decision to cancel the collaboration.

Jami Gertz

The principal owner of the Atlanta Hawks who was a producer on "Magic City: An American Fantasy," a docuseries that aired on Starz.

Luke Kornet

The San Antonio Spurs center who publicly asked the Hawks to cancel the "Magic City Monday" promotion, saying it would "reflect poorly on us as an NBA community."

T.I.

The Atlanta-based artist who was scheduled to perform at halftime as part of the Hawks' planned promotion.

Michael Barney

The founder of Magic City, the strip club that was set to be featured in the Hawks' promotion.

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The takeaway

The NBA's decision to cancel the Hawks' collaboration with Magic City strip club reflects the league's efforts to address concerns about the objectification of women and maintain a family-friendly image. This incident highlights the delicate balance between celebrating local culture and upholding the league's values.