NBA Cancels Hawks' Strip Club Promotion After Backlash

The league stepped in to cancel the team's planned 'Magic City Night' tribute event.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The NBA has decided to cancel the Atlanta Hawks' planned 'Magic City Night' promotion, which was set to celebrate the iconic Atlanta strip club. The league cited concerns from a 'broad array of league stakeholders' as the reason for the cancellation. While the Hawks expressed disappointment, they acknowledged the NBA's decision and said they remain committed to celebrating Atlanta authentically.

Why it matters

The planned Hawks promotion sparked backlash, as some felt it was inappropriate for a professional sports league to be celebrating a strip club. The NBA's decision to cancel the event highlights the league's efforts to be mindful of the sensitivities of its broader audience and stakeholders.

The details

The Hawks had planned the 'Magic City Night' promotion to coincide with the release of a five-part STARZ docuseries called 'Magic City: An American Fantasy', which explored the history and cultural impact of the Atlanta strip club. The team had also planned to have Atlanta native T.I. perform at halftime.

  • The promotion was scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner who announced the decision to cancel the Hawks' promotion.

Jami Gertz

The Hawks' principal owner, filmmaker, and actor who was involved in the production of the 'Magic City' docuseries.

T.I.

The Atlanta native rapper who was scheduled to perform at halftime during the Hawks' promotion.

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What they’re saying

“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 (Breitbart)

“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together 'Magic City: An American Fantasy'. The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

— Jami Gertz, Hawks principal owner, filmmaker, and actor (Breitbart)

The takeaway

The NBA's decision to cancel the Hawks' 'Magic City Night' promotion highlights the league's efforts to be mindful of the sensitivities of its broader audience and stakeholders. While the Hawks expressed disappointment, the league's move demonstrates its commitment to upholding its values and maintaining a family-friendly image.