The NBA has stepped in and canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ planned “Magic City Monday” promotion that was scheduled for March 16, as relayed by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The event had been tied to Atlanta’s game against the Orlando Magic and was intended to celebrate the city’s well-known Magic City nightlife venue. But the promotion quickly drew criticism from around the league, including from at least one active player.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the decision came after hearing concerns from multiple corners of the league.
“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” Silver said in a statement. “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, including fans, partners and employees.
“I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”
The Hawks had initially planned to move forward with the promotion despite the backlash. The team’s announcement said principal owner Jami Gertz would help introduce the Hawks AF Podcast as part of the festivities.
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet publicly urged the team to reconsider earlier this week.
“I would like to respectfully ask that the Atlanta Hawks cancel this promotional night with Magic City,” Kornet wrote in a blog post. “The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women.”
Kornet later said he spoke up to share a perspective he believed many around the league held. Golden State Warriors veteran Al Horford echoed the sentiment on social media, writing “Well said Luke” in response to Kornet’s comments.
Ultimately, the league decided to step in, bringing the promotion to an end before the planned March 16 event.
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