What is “Magic City Night”? Why Luke Kornet is calling for the Hawks to cancel it
Spurs’ Luke Kornet wrote a letter opposing the Atlanta Hawks’ “Magic City Night”, calling the league “complicit” in “potential objectification of women”.
The Atlanta Hawks sparked a league-wide debate after announcing an upcoming “Magic City Night”, a themed game celebrating one of Atlanta’s most famous nightlife institutions. But not everyone sees it as harmless fun.
Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs publicly criticized the promotion, urging the Hawks to cancel it and questioning what message it sends about women in the NBA community.
So what exactly is Magic City Night, and why has it become so controversial?
What is Magic City?
Magic City is a long-standing Atlanta strip club that has become deeply embedded in the city’s hip-hop and sports culture. Open since the mid-1980s, it’s widely referenced in rap lyrics and has been name-dropped by artists such as T.I., Future and Drake.
Jermaine Dupri and Drake executive produced 'Magic City: An American Fantasty' to spotlight the impact that the historic Atlanta club has had on hip-hop culture 🎬pic.twitter.com/rHrBoGPx5t
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) June 9, 2025
Beyond adult entertainment, Magic City has developed a reputation for being a cultural hub in Atlanta’s music scene and hosting celebrity athletes and entertainers, plus its famously hyped chicken wings
Over the years, it’s been portrayed less as just a strip club and more as a pop-culture landmark within Atlanta nightlife.
What is “Magic City Night”?
The Hawks announced plans for a themed game celebrating Magic City as a “cultural institution”. According to promotional details, the night would include appearances from Atlanta music figures, the club’s signature wings available at the arena, exclusive merchandise, and a general celebration of Atlanta’s hip-hop culture. The game is to be held on Monday, March 16 when the Hawks face the Orlando Magic at home.
Notably, the team’s official announcement reportedly did not explicitly reference Magic City’s status as an adult entertainment venue, instead framing it as part of the city’s cultural fabric.
The Hawks’ one-night Magic City partnership sold nearly 2,000 tickets in 24 hours and drew 90%+ positive sentiment, per @theathletic.
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) March 2, 2026
Team leadership says the promo is about celebrating an Atlanta cultural staple while keeping the event family-friendly.https://t.co/2JYT9qVSnq pic.twitter.com/m1ZrekrjcF
Still, the connection is obvious. And that’s where the backlash began.
Luke Kornet calls on Hawks to cancel Magic City Night
Kornet published a public letter urging the Hawks to reconsider the promotion, arguing it conflicts with the NBA’s responsibility to foster a respectful and inclusive environment.
Luke Kornet is asking the Hawks to cancel their "Magic City Night", saying that it's disrespectful to women:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 2, 2026
"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… pic.twitter.com/C9eQDp6MLg
In his statement, Kornet said the league should aim to “protect and esteem women” and warned that celebrating a strip club, even indirectly, risks normalizing objectification.
He wrote that such promotions could make the NBA appear “complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society”, adding that many women in the adult entertainment industry experience abuse, harassment and violence.
Kornet also emphasized that NBA arenas are spaces where “fans of all ages” attend games, suggesting the promotion clashes with that family-friendly setting.
Luke Kornet is requesting the Hawks cancel tonight's "Magic City Monday" theme night with the iconic Atlanta strip club.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 2, 2026
"The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women." pic.twitter.com/8gOuMlQ5zq
Importantly, he clarified that his criticism wasn’t meant as an attack on individuals, but rather a concern about the league’s standards and messaging.
Atlanta’s music culture and Magic City are undeniably intertwined. For many fans, the club is part of the city’s identity, particularly within hip-hop. But others argue that elevating an adult entertainment venue in a professional sports setting crosses a line.
The debate has sparked questions across social media. Is this cultural recognition, or endorsement? Can something be a landmark and still be inappropriate for league promotion? Where should the NBA draw the line?
As of now, the Hawks have not announced any cancellation. Kornet has expressed hope that other teams and league officials will weigh in.
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