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Spurs Player Criticizes Hawks' Strip Club Night
3 Mar
Summary
- Luke Kornet urged the Atlanta Hawks to reconsider a promotional event.
- The promotion involved the strip club Magic City.
- Hawks ownership cited the club's cultural impact on Atlanta.
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has voiced strong disapproval of the Atlanta Hawks' planned "Magic City Monday" promotion, scheduled for March 16. The event intended to honor Magic City, described by Hawks ownership as an "iconic cultural institution" in Atlanta. Kornet, writing on Medium on March 2, 2026, argued that the NBA should protect and respect women, and that associating with a strip club could lead to the objectification and mistreatment of women.
The Hawks had announced the promotion on February 25, 2026, emphasizing Magic City's impact on Atlanta's culture. The plan included having the club's DJ and signature lemon pepper wings at State Farm Arena. Rapper T.I. was also slated to discuss a documentary about Magic City and perform at halftime. This collaboration aimed to create an "authentic, True to Atlanta-inspired game experience."
Team officials, including owner Jami Gertz and Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Proctor, defended the initiative, citing its cultural significance and positive reception, with over 2,000 additional tickets sold within 24 hours of the announcement. Proctor stated the team aimed for a "classy" approach, focusing on "G-rated" elements and avoiding dancers to align with the city's culture. Despite these assurances, Kornet maintained that the promotion reflects poorly on the NBA community.
