NBA officially announces cancellation of Hawks' tribute to strip club nightclub event! Adam Silver: I believe this is the correct decision.

On March 10 Beijing time, the NBA officially announced that it has canceled the in-game promotional event originally planned by the Atlanta Hawks for their March 17 game (a tribute to the strip club nightclub Magic City).

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement: "Upon learning of the Atlanta Hawks' in-game promotional plan, we immediately contacted the team's management to better understand their plan and rationale. While we understand the team's position and their desire to proceed, we also heard significant concerns from a broad range of stakeholders across the league, including fans, partners, and employees. I believe canceling this promotional event is the right decision for the broader NBA community."

The Hawks originally planned to pay tribute to Atlanta's famous nightclub Magic City during their March 17 home game against the Orlando Magic. The team defined the event as recognition of the club's place in Atlanta's culture and confirmed this week that, despite external criticism, the event would proceed as planned.

Magic City manager Barney directly addressed external concerns, clearly stating that fans would not see any explicit content in the arena. He said the evening's activities would focus on food, music, and a good atmosphere, and countered the argument that "such a tribute event is inappropriate in a professional sports venue."

Once the news emerged, it immediately sparked opposition both within and outside the league.

Spurs center Kornet was one of the most vocal critics, publicly stating that this tribute disrespects women and believing that professional sports teams have a responsibility to create a safe and respected environment for all fans. Warriors center Horford also sided with Kornet, adding weight to the criticism from the player community.

However, not everyone opposed it. Warriors forward Green publicly rebutted the criticism, calling Magic City's dancers performers and stating their work is an art form. His defense of the Hawks reignited heated discussion, keeping the debate ongoing.

Previously, facing multi-faceted criticism, the Hawks did not waver and insisted the event would remain unchanged. But ultimately, the NBA officially intervened and formally canceled the event.

According to previous reports by Atlanta media, the March 17 game had become one of the highest-selling home games of the season, with ticket prices soaring 84%. It is currently unknown how the official cancellation of the event will affect ticket prices for this game.