The Atlanta Hawks' decision to host a tribute night featuring Magic City strip club has sparked controversy among NBA players, with some calling for the event to be cancelled.

NBA Players Speak Out Against Magic City Tribute Night

San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet was one of the first players to express his concerns about the event, writing on Medium.com that celebrating Magic City "would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society."

Kornet's statement was endorsed by Golden State center Al Horford, who shared Kornet's concerns on social media. The Hawks' collaboration with Magic City has been met with criticism from other players as well, with some expressing their opposition to the event.

Magic City Responds to Backlash

Despite the backlash, Magic City manager JuJu Barney and Yaya, a dancer at the club and daughter of its founder, defended the event on "TMZ Live" this week. Barney described Magic City as an iconic place where people from all walks of life come together, comparing it to a "more adult version of Cirque du Soleil."

Barney also clarified that the Hawks' event will be a fun night without nudity, stating that it will feature wings and music, but no nudity. Yaya added that while she understands the concerns about objectification, Magic City is more than just a strip club.

Hawks Unfazed by Criticism

The Hawks have shown no signs of backing down from their decision to host the Magic City tribute night. A spokesperson for the team told Front Office Sports that they have no plans to alter the promotion, despite the criticism from players and others.

Key Facts

  • The Atlanta Hawks are hosting a tribute night featuring Magic City strip club on March 16th during their game against the Orlando Magic.
  • San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet was one of the first players to express his concerns about the event, writing that it would reflect poorly on the NBA community.
  • Magic City manager JuJu Barney defended the event, describing it as a fun night without nudity and comparing it to a "more adult version of Cirque du Soleil."
  • The Hawks have no plans to alter their promotion despite criticism from players and others.