*The NBA has canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ planned “Magic City Monday” promotion following concerns raised across the league, The Guardian reports.
The event, originally scheduled for March 16 against the Orlando Magic, was designed to celebrate Atlanta’s iconic Magic City strip club, featuring the club’s signature lemon pepper wings and a live performance by rapper TI.
Attendees were set to enjoy a limited-edition Peachtree-themed hoodie reading “Magic City” with the Hawks logo, along with specialty dishes, including the Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ wings named after former Hawks guard Lou Williams. While the promotion was intended to honor a local cultural institution, it drew criticism from several NBA players who questioned its appropriateness.
Spurs center Luke Kornet publicly urged the Hawks to cancel the event, writing in a Medium post that it “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
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He added, “We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.”
Warriors center Al Horford, who played for Atlanta from 2007 to 2016, supported Kornet’s message on X, posting simply, “Well said Luke.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explained that the league had received concerns from fans, partners, and employees. “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… I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community,” Silver said.
The Hawks expressed disappointment over the cancellation but emphasized their respect for the league’s decision. “As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta – with authenticity – in ways that continue to unite and bring us together,” the team stated.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Hawks Keep ‘Magic City Monday’ Promotion Despite Player Backlash
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