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ESPN’s Richard Jefferson is speaking out following the Atlanta Hawks-Magic City controversy.
Last week, the Hawks announced they were partnering with the “iconic cultural institution” for a night filled with food, which includes the club’s famous lemon pepper wings.
“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,’” Hawks principal owner Jami Gertz said. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”
NBA player Luke Kornet objected to the promotion with the famous strip club because he feels it disrespects women.
“This week the Atlanta Hawks “announced a special one-night collaboration to celebrate the city’s iconic cultural institution Magic City,” during the team’s home game against Orlando on Monday, March 16. In its press release the Hawks failed to acknowledge that this place is, as the business itself boasts, “Atlanta’s premier strip club.”
“Given this fact, I would like to respectfully ask that the Atlanta Hawks cancel this promotional night with Magic City.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’s comments have become a subject of debate on social media, prompting ESPN’s Richard Jefferson to chime in with his two cents.
‘There are going to be kids. If I’m taking my kids, my nine-year-old and eleven-year-old kids, I don’t want to be introducing my kids to that. That’s just me. That’s 1970’s basketball. That’s old. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it, but that it aligns with [the NBA brand.”
“That’s not what I want to be introducing my kids to.”
Richard Jefferson weighs in on the Hawks’ latest promotion and the debate surrounding the NBA’s brand. We’re all about freedom of choice, but does it align with the brand?
( @Rjeff24 / @ATLHawks ) pic.twitter.com/IQNXpAb2ix
— Road Trippin’ Show (@RoadTrippinShow) March 4, 2026
Despite the backlash, the Atlanta Hawks do not appear to be backing down, and will go ahead with their Magic City promotion.
The Atlanta Hawks have no plans to change their 'Magic City Monday' promotion, a team spokesperson tells FOS.
Warriors center Al Horford joined Spurs center Luke Kornet in publicly criticizing the promotion on social media.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 3, 2026