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The Atlanta Hawks and Magic City will partner for "Magic City Monday" when they play against the Orlando Magic on March 16.
During this game at State Farm Arena, fans can buy the lemon pepper wings and the Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ wings (named after former NBA player Lou Williams) typically sold at Magic City. The rapper T.I. will perform the halftime show. A special version of their Peachtree City Edition hoodies are for sale, too.
Melissa Proctor, the chief marketing officer for the Hawks, recently told The Athletic that she has never received so many requests for tickets to a game. However, as excited as so many may feel, other people like San Antonio Spurs big man Luke Kornet have expressed concerns. Here is what he wrote on his blog:
"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. We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love.
Allowing this night to go forward without protest 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 acknowledged that there are plenty of ways that someone may find their way into the adult entertainment industry.
He added, however, that many are subjected to abuse, harassment, and violence while working. Here is more:
"We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision."
Of course, not everyone agrees with Kornet.
For example, the legendary David Aldridge wrote a convincing counterargument in a recent column (via The Athletic):
"From afar, it may seem absurd. But Magic City and the city’s other strip clubs are part of Atlanta’s cultural vibe, like go-go music is in D.C., or rapping and breaking are in Brooklyn, or jazz is in New Orleans. You can turn your nose up at it or look down upon the people who work there. But it’s more likely than not that your favorite hooper or football player — or, politician — has probably been up in Magic City over the decades."
The Hawks may ignore Kornet's request, but whether you agree with him or not, this is certainly an unusual conversation in NBA circles and one worth following leading up to the game.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: NBA player asks Hawks to cancel promo night with Atlanta strip club