NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The NBA has stepped in to cancel the Atlanta Hawks’ “Magic Monday” promotion next week, commissioner Adam Silver said.
The Hawks were scheduled to host “Magic Monday” while the Orlando Magic were coming to town on March 16. The franchise was also set to celebrate the city’s famous Magic City strip club, famous for its lemon pepper wings.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media after the 75th NBA All Star Game at the Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
But after apparent backlash about the promotion, the league decided to have it canceled.
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ planned promotion, we contacted Hawks management to better understand their plans and rationale,” Silver said via ESPN. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a wide range of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees.
“I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”
Controversy erupted last week when San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet wrote a lengthy blog post, urging the Hawks to reconsider the event.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) celebrates his basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
SPORTSCASTER RIPS NBA PLAYER OVER BLOG POST OPPOSITE TO PROMOTION OF TEAM’S STRIP CLUB
He suggested NBA players and officials “promote a protective and respectful atmosphere toward the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers and partners we know and love.”
Kornet wrote that allowing the night to continue “without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, particularly in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
He added that “other people across the league” were surprised by the Hawks’ decision to hold the promotional night.
Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs reaches for the ball during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 26, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
“We want to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities with a clear conscience. Celebrating a strip club is not conduct consistent with this vision,” he wrote.
