The Hawks’ March 16 game against the Orlando Magic is being billed as Magic City night, promoting the large Atlanta strip club by the same name. The night is set to include serving Magic City’s famous lemon pepper wings, themed merch and a halftime performance from T.I., with the team justifying it as an “iconic Atlanta institution.”
But a night promoting a strip club is understandably getting pushback, including from some NBA players.
On Monday, San Antonio Spurs player Luke Kornet published a letter on Medium expressing his displeasure.
“I would like to respectfully ask that the Atlanta Hawks cancel this promotional night with Magic City,” Kornet wrote. “The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world. We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.”
Kornet’s concern is that the NBA’s alignment with Magic City would look like an endorsement. Other NBA players like Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac shared Kornet’s letter on social media, echoing his feelings.
“Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society,” Kornet said.
Kornet also pointed to the risks women can face in the adult entertainment industry.
“Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected,” Kornet said.
He also claimed he wasn’t the only one caught off guard by the decision and framed it as a basic standards question for a league that sells itself as welcoming.
“I and others throughout the league were surprised by and object to the Hawks’ decision,” Kornet said. “We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”
