Kornet Urges Hawks To Drop Magic City Promotion

Spurs' Kornet Pushes Back on Hawks' Magic City Event

San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet is not holding back his thoughts about the Atlanta Hawks' latest promotional partnership. Kornet has publicly urged the Hawks to reconsider their collaboration with Magic City, an adult entertainment venue, scheduled for March 16 during their game against the Orlando Magic.

Kornet expressed his and other NBA players' surprise at the team's decision to align with the club. He articulated his concerns in a statement, suggesting that the event "would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society."

Concerns Over the Image of the NBA

In a blog post, Kornet expanded on his reasoning, emphasizing the potential negative implications of associating with an adult entertainment venue. He remarked, "Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected."

“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,” Kornet stated.

Event Details and Kornet's Request

The Hawks' promotion includes a live performance by rapper T.I., a selection of Magic City's well-known chicken wings, and a limited-edition hoodie. However, Kornet criticized the omission of key details in the press release, particularly the club’s reputation as Atlanta's prime strip club. He believes this omittance misrepresents the nature of the event.

Kornet has called for the Hawks to cancel the promotion, reinforcing his vision of a family-friendly basketball experience. His outspoken stance aims to ensure that the NBA maintains a culture of respect and inclusivity.