The NBA has officially canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ planned “Magic City Monday” promotional event scheduled for March 16, 2026, at State Farm Arena.
The decision came after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver reviewed the team’s plans and received widespread concerns from fans, league partners, employees, and other stakeholders regarding the promotion’s association with Magic City, a well-known Atlanta strip club.
The Hawks had framed the event as a celebration of an “iconic cultural institution” in the city, highlighting elements like exclusive lemon pepper wings inspired by the club’s famous menu, limited-edition merchandise including hoodies, and a live performance by Atlanta rapper T.I. The team positioned it as a tribute to Atlanta’s unique culture and history.
However, the promotion drew significant backlash, including public calls from NBA players such as San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, who urged the Hawks to cancel it, arguing that it failed to acknowledge the venue’s nature as a strip club and could reflect poorly on the league by appearing complicit in the objectification of women.
In a response, the Hawks said they “fully respect the decision.”
Other voices across the NBA community echoed similar concerns about family-friendly environments and respect for women in the league.
In a statement released today via the NBA’s public relations channels, Commissioner Silver addressed the decision directly:
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and intentions. After careful review and hearing significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders—including fans, partners, employees, and others—about promoting an adult entertainment venue, we have determined that canceling the event is the right call for the broader NBA community.”
The March 16 home game against the Orlando Magic will proceed as scheduled but without the themed promotion. No replacement theme has been announced at this time.
The Hawks organization has not yet issued a separate public comment on the cancellation, but sources indicate the team is aligning with the league’s directive.
This marks a notable intervention by the NBA in team-level marketing decisions, underscoring the league’s emphasis on maintaining an inclusive and appropriate environment for its diverse fan base. Fans with tickets to the March 16 game should monitor Hawks communications for any updates on in-arena experiences.
