Hawks moving forward with ‘Magic City’ night despite player criticism

The Atlanta Hawks are sticking with their plan.

Despite public criticism from NBA players, Atlanta does not intend to cancel its upcoming “Magic City Monday” promotion tied to the March 16 game against the Orlando Magic, according to CBS Sports.

The event is meant to celebrate Atlanta’s famed Magic City venue, a longtime nightlife fixture in the city. The team’s announcement said Hawks principal owner Jami Gertz will help introduce the Hawks AF Podcast as part of the festivities.

The promotion has drawn pushback from at least one NBA player. Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs publicly asked the Hawks to cancel the event in a blog post earlier this week.

“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.”

Kornet added that the league should promote an atmosphere that respects women and argued that hosting such an event could send the wrong message.

“Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community,” he wrote.

Kornet later said he spoke out simply to ensure another perspective was heard.

“I really just saw the statement last week, the announcement by the Hawks,” he said during shootaround in Philadelphia. “I felt like it didn’t really represent what I know myself and a lot of others throughout the NBA felt.”

At least one veteran player backed him publicly. Al Horford of the Golden State Warriors quote-posted Kornet’s comments on social media and wrote: “Well said Luke.”

But so far, the Hawks are moving ahead with the event.