The NBA has halted the Atlanta Hawks’ latest promotional plans. A heated controversy surrounding the franchise’s partnership with a well-known adult entertainment venue forced Commissioner Adam Silver to step in, compelling the team to cancel the deal.
Just days earlier, the Hawks stunned fans, media, and league officials by announcing a collaboration with Magic City, Atlanta’s most famous strip club, for a one-of-a-kind promotion.
The announcement triggered immediate backlash. Players such as Spurs center Luke Kornet and Warriors veteran Al Horford publicly condemned the initiative.
Golden State forward Draymond Green was one of the few to defend the Hawks, calling stripping an “art form.” Commissioner Silver, however, disagreed.
Adam Silver puts a stop to the Hawks’ promotion
“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.
Although he acknowledged the team’s perspective and boldness, Silver added: “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.
In a statement on Instagram, the Hawks said they were “disappointed” by Silver’s decision and removed all images related to the promotion from their social media.
What did the Hawks’ Magic City promotion include?
The team’s plans involved selling co-branded merchandise and featuring Magic City’s famous lemon pepper wings during the March 16 game against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena.
Initially, majority owner Jami Gertz defended the promotion, calling Magic City an “iconic cultural institution.”
However, mounting backlash from the NBA community and Silver’s intervention forced the Hawks to abandon the idea.
At the very least, no one can accuse the Hawks of lacking boldness or originality.
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