The NBA stepped in to shut down what many believed would have been a major embarrassment for the league.
Just one week before the Atlanta Hawks planned to host a promotional night celebrating strip clubs as cultural “institutions,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Monday that the March 16 event had been canceled.
The planned promotion was set to highlight Atlanta’s famous Magic City strip club with lemon pepper wings, performances from Atlanta artists T.I. and DJ Esco, themed merchandise, and other elements meant to celebrate the city’s nightlife culture.
However, the idea quickly sparked backlash, with critics arguing that an NBA franchise endorsing a strip club–themed event would promote the objectification of women. The controversy intensified after San Antonio Spurs big man Luke Kornet published a strongly worded essay criticizing the promotion, which drew both support and pushback from fans and commentators.
In a statement, Silver explained that after discussing the situation with Hawks leadership, the league determined canceling the event was the best course of action.
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” Silver said. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad range of league stakeholders, including fans, partners, and employees. I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”
Whether intentional or not, the proposed event was widely seen as being in poor taste. Many critics argued the promotion was being pushed more by internet hype and controversy than by genuine basketball fans, a view echoed by several players who openly opposed the Hawks’ plan for the theme night. Allowing an NBA franchise to officially celebrate strip club culture as a marketing stunt would have likely been viewed by many as tacky and damaging to the league’s image.
San Antonio Spurs big man Luke Kornet was among the most vocal critics of the idea, though his stance drew backlash from some figures around the league. Draymond Green, for example, publicly defended stripping as a legitimate form of entertainment, while former Hawks star Al Horford supported Kornet’s criticism and questioned the judgment behind the promotion.
Despite the criticism, ticket prices for the game were reportedly rising as the controversy surrounding the planned “Magic City” themed night gained attention online.
In the end, the NBA’s decision to cancel the promotion sends a message to teams about being more mindful of how marketing events reflect on the league’s overall brand and reputation.
