NBA Cancels Atlanta Hawks' Strip Club Event Amid Backlash

The league stepped in to cancel the Hawks' planned 'theme night' at a famous Atlanta strip club, underscoring the contradictions in how leagues market to female fans.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The NBA announced it had canceled an event planned by the Atlanta Hawks at the Magic City strip club in Atlanta, after the plan faced significant backlash. The Hawks had announced the 'theme night' at the iconic Atlanta venue, but the league intervened, citing concerns from fans, partners, and employees about the potential objectification and mistreatment of women. The decision highlights the challenges sports leagues face in trying to attract more female fans while also respecting women.

Why it matters

The NBA's decision to cancel the Hawks' strip club event underscores the contradictions and complexities leagues face in their efforts to cultivate a larger female fan base. While sports teams are increasingly launching initiatives aimed at appealing to women, this incident shows how some marketing tactics can be seen as disrespectful or objectifying, undermining those efforts.

The details

The Atlanta Hawks had announced plans for a 'theme night' at Magic City, a famous strip club in Atlanta, to coincide with a game against the Orlando Magic. The team's co-owner, actress Jami Gertz, had praised Magic City's 'incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.' However, the plan was met with significant backlash, including from San Antonio Spurs player Luke Kornet, who criticized it as potentially objectifying and disrespectful to women. The NBA then stepped in, with Commissioner Adam Silver saying the league had 'heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees.' The Hawks said they were 'very disappointed' but 'fully understood' the decision to cancel the event.

  • The Atlanta Hawks announced the 'theme night' at Magic City in the weeks leading up to the game against the Orlando Magic.

The players

Adam Silver

The commissioner of the NBA, who announced the league's decision to cancel the Atlanta Hawks' event at Magic City strip club.

Tony Ressler

The co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, who had approved the planned 'theme night' at Magic City.

Jami Gertz

The co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks and an executive producer of the Starz docuseries 'Magic City: An American Fantasy,' who praised Magic City's 'incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.'

Luke Kornet

A player for the San Antonio Spurs, who spoke out against the Hawks' planned event, arguing it would reflect poorly on the NBA and potentially objectify and disrespect women.

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What they’re saying

“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world. We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love. Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”

— Luke Kornet, San Antonio Spurs player (Medium)

“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks' scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale. 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.”

— Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner (NBA)

What’s next

The NBA's decision to cancel the Atlanta Hawks' event at Magic City strip club is likely to prompt further discussions within the league about how to market to female fans in a respectful and inclusive way.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance sports leagues must strike in their efforts to attract more female fans. While the NBA and other leagues are making strides, this episode shows how some marketing tactics can be seen as objectifying and disrespectful, undermining those efforts. Leagues must continue to listen to stakeholders and find ways to celebrate their cities and cultures that don't come at the expense of women.