Magic City shown support at Atlanta Hawks game despite NBA cancellation

That sentiment prevailed throughout the game, as many attendees remained supportive of Magic City — while wearing original Magic City gear and the limited-edition Hawks and Magic City hoodie (or by creating their own).

A magical debate

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Last month, the Atlanta Hawks announced that Monday night’s game would be aptly branded “Magic City Monday.” The evening was slated to showcase Magic City’s impact on Atlanta culture.

Programming was set to include the establishment’s signature lemon pepper wings, the Hawks selling a Peachtree-themed Magic City hoodie, a halftime performance by rapper T.I. and a live recording of the Hawks AF podcast discussing the strip club’s legacy.

Hosted by comedian DC Young Fly, the conversation was scheduled to feature T.I., Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney and Hawks principal owner and actress Jami Gertz. Alongside Jermaine Dupri, Gertz produced last year’s Starz docuseries “Magic City: An American Fantasy.”

“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ’Magic City: An American Fantasy,’” Gertz said in a press release about the promotion at the time. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

The announcement swiftly incited backlash online, with NBA players Luke Kornet and Al Horford criticizing the decision. The former, a San Antonio Spurs Center, denounced the promotion on his blog, calling for the NBA to cancel the game.

Kornet argued that strip clubs often contribute to women being sexually exploited.

“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 wrote on his blog, republished by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The NBA canceled the promotion on March 9, with commissioner Adam Silver citing “significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees.” While it’s unclear what those concerns were, the Hawks said they respected the NBA’s decision.

“As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta — with authenticity — in ways that continue to unite and bring us all together,” the team said in a statement shortly after the NBA’s cancellation.

A ‘big misunderstanding’

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Among the original programming from the collaboration, the Hawks only retained T.I.’s halftime performance Monday night. Lemon pepper wings were still available to purchase at the arena, though they weren’t from Magic City. At the game, the Hawks declined to comment further on the cancellation. Neither T.I. or Mr. Magic were made available for interviews.

However, the pair embraced during the former’s halftime performance, which included his hit song “Let ‘Em Know” and a surprise appearance from Young Dro.

Jazmine Rose said the Hawks and Magic City collaboration inspired her to buy a ticket to the game. Although the 49-year-old understood some concerns against the promotion, she thought the backlash was “a little overblown.”

“Nobody was going to have strippers coming down from the pole at the doggone basketball game,” said the Bronx native, who’s resided in southwest Atlanta since the 1990s. “The strip club culture of Atlanta is a part of the culture of this city. That’s what brings a lot of business to Atlanta … if you really care about women and what’s happening, there are a lot of other ways you can show up with that.”

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Miguel Uriegas arrived to the game in a peach-and-black T-shirt with the words “NBA Hates Lemon Pepper Wings.” The Gwinnett County resident, whose friend made the shirt for him, wanted to make a statement. He said the NBA doesn’t understand Magic City’s prominence in Atlanta.

The club, founded in 1985, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, most notable for shaping Atlanta’s rap scene — helping to launch the careers of artists like Future and Jeezy.

“It really sucks when you have outsiders trying to tell us about us,” the 32-year-old said.

Near one of the concession booths, a former Magic City dancer, who goes by the name Strawberry, felt the same. Wearing a blue-and-white Magic City hoodie at Monday’s game, she said she was “very disappointed” in the NBA canceling the promotion. For her, the club is an emblem of what makes Atlanta a top city for Black culture and Black-owned businesses.

Strawberry was featured in the Magic City docuseries.

“We were only coming in to represent Magic City,” she said. “We’re one of the longest-running Black strip clubs in Atlanta. We need an award for that. I still came today because Magic City is family.”

Credit: DeAsia Paige

Credit: DeAsia Paige

Atlanta rapper Pastor Troy, a mainstay at local sporting events, roamed the halls of State Farm Arena while carrying his signature wrestling belt and stopping to take photos with fans. He felt the debate was a “big misunderstanding.” However, he felt that the Hawks could’ve done a better job fully explaining the promotion.

“Mr. Magic is one of the most professional businessmen in this city, and Magic City has been successful for over 40 years, so I knew he wouldn’t do anything to bring damage to his name or the Hawks.”

On Monday, the Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic 124-112. It was the team’s 10th consecutive win, their longest since the 2014-2015 season.