TITLE: Hawks crowd flaunts Magic City apparel after NBA pulls themed promotion
SLUG: hawks-fans-wear-magic-city-gear-after-promotion-canceled
CONTENT:
ATLANTA — State Farm Arena felt like a postseason venue Monday night as 18,138 spectators watched the Atlanta Hawks defeat the Orlando Magic 124-112 for their 10th consecutive victory. The celebratory mood came one month after the club’s now-scrapped “Magic City Night” partnership, and many in the sellout crowd arrived wearing gear tied to the famed Atlanta strip club.
The Hawks announced the promotion on Feb. 26, promising limited-edition merchandise, the club’s well-known lemon pepper wings and a halftime performance by rapper T.I. Less than two weeks later, NBA commissioner Adam Silver halted the event, citing feedback from “fans, partners and employees” across the league.
Merchandise demand stays high
Despite the league’s decision, Magic City logos were visible throughout the arena. Hawks principal owner Jami Gertz sported an official sweatshirt while sitting near midcourt. Inside one of the arena’s retail outlets, employees recorded 12 requests for Magic City hoodies during the first quarter alone.
A sales associate said 300 hoodies offered through a preorder sold out within hours, leading the team to place a larger follow-up order that will now remain in storage. Koreena Atkins, a member of the Hawks’ 404 Crew fan section, secured one of the original sweatshirts but was told the group could not display the apparel or chant about the club during games.
Season-ticket holder Nichole Kagwisa missed the preorder window and voiced frustration while searching for remaining stock. “I’m a good member. I want a sweatshirt,” she said, noting that she and friends had bought standing-room-only tickets hoping for the full experience, including the advertised wings that never appeared.
Mixed reactions to cancellation
Some longtime supporters welcomed the NBA’s intervention. One fan, attending with his 15-year-old grandson, argued the promotion risked alienating “grassroots” followers who have backed the team since the 1960s.
Ashton Leroux, a DJ who has worked at Magic City for eight years, understood the league’s concerns about young fans but added that the controversy generated unprecedented attention for the nightclub. “If there was stock in Magic City, it would’ve gone through the roof,” he said, predicting a packed house there the same evening.
The Hawks’ on-court success continued regardless of the promotional saga, leaving fans to celebrate a winning streak — hoodie or not — as the team moves deeper into March.
Source: ESPN.com
