San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has sensationally demanded the Atlanta Hawks cancel their partnership with the infamous strip club Magic City.
The 30-year-old penned a powerful open letter on Medium on Monday, urging the Hawks organization to scrap the upcoming ‘Magic City Monday’ promotional night.
The controversy erupted after the Atlanta Hawks announced a collaboration with the adult venue for their March 16 game against the Orlando Magic.
‘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 wrote.
The center argued that the league should promote an atmosphere respectful of the ‘daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.’
Kornet warned that the promotion makes the NBA ‘complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women’ and noted that many in the industry experience ‘abuse, harassment, and violence.’
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet has sensationally demanded the Atlanta Hawks cancel their partnership with the infamous strip club Magic City
Magic City has been a staple of Atlanta’s culture and is known for their lemon pepper wings
The Hawks’ promotion aims to celebrate Magic City as a ‘cultural institution’ with appearances from local legends like T.I. and the sale of the club’s famous lemon pepper wings.
However, the team’s press release notably avoided using the term ‘strip club,’ instead focusing on the establishment’s deep-rooted history within Atlanta’s nightlife scene.
Kornet remained unimpressed, stating that the celebration of such a venue is simply ‘not conduct aligned’ with providing a safe environment for fans of all ages.
The Spurs star claimed he is not alone in his disgust, suggesting that other figures across the league were left ‘dumbfounded’ by the Hawks’ decision to lean into the partnership.
‘We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball,’ Kornet continued, calling for the other 29 teams to stand up.
The backlash has not been limited to the locker room, with social media erupting in a fierce debate over the morality of the promotion since it was unveiled on Thursday.
Despite the outcry, many others have praised the team for a ‘savvy’ connection to the city’s unique culture, citing Magic City’s legendary status in the South.
ESPN’s Marc Spears reacted with amusement, calling it a ‘creative promotion’ while noting the club’s famous wings were even re-named after NBA icon Lou Williams.
The Atlanta Hawks are hosting ‘Magic City Monday’ as a partnership with the famous strip club
The promotion with the strip club drew a mixed reaction on social media from fans
The wings became a part of basketball lore in 2020 when Williams famously snuck out of the ‘NBA Bubble’ to grab a meal at the club, earning the nickname ‘Lemon Pepper Lou.’
As part of the upcoming night, the Hawks have even produced special edition hoodies featuring the Magic City logo alongside the team’s iconic ‘Pac-Man’ crest.
The Hawks have yet to officially respond to Kornet’s letter or indicate whether they have any intention of altering their plans for the Orlando Magic fixture.
Magic City, which has operated since 1985, is widely considered a kingmaker in the rap industry, often credited with launching the careers of numerous global superstars.
The club’s kitchen, which dubs itself ‘the reason you come to Magic City,’ remains one of the most talked-about culinary spots in the city of Atlanta.