The Hawks will be paying tribute to one of Atlanta’s most ‘iconic’ establishments: The famed Magic City strip club.
The NBA team announced on Thursday that it will be hosting a tribute night on March 16 for the adult-entertainment establishment, which it is calling “Magic City Monday.”
The Hawks’ opponent for that game? You guessed it: The Orlando Magic.
As part of the theme night, the team will celebrate with an “iconic cultural institution,” with special food, entertainment and exclusive merchandise.
“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,'” said Jami Gertz, Hawks principal owner, filmmaker and actor. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”
Gertz was a producer of a five-part docuseries Magic City: An American Fantasy, which explored the establishment’s history and its place in both hip-hop and Black culture.
For halftime entertainment at the game, Atlanta native T.I. will perform.
“We doin’ this one for the city … Magic City,” the rapper said.
Lou Williams’ infamous Magic City outing
The team and the club have shared a deep cultural connection in Atlanta, including one instance that went viral in 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hawks guard Lou Williams violated the league’s protocols by visiting the strip club. When he was questioned about it, the former Toronto Raptor claimed that he only went there to get some of their “world famous wings.”
The team will now play into that legacy, serving the infamous wings at State Farm Arena concession stands during the game.
“Magic City Kitchen will serve two versions of their ‘world famous’ lemon pepper wings, Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ and traditional Lemon Pepper,” the NBA team stated Thursday.
How are the Hawks doing this season?
Atlanta currently sits in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-31. The Hawks were expected to make a move up the conference standings after several big off-season moves, but have languished in a play-in spot.
However, with the rest of their rivals in the Southeast Division also struggling, the Hawks are just two games off the division lead.
The Hawks also traded away star point guard Trae Young earlier this season to the Washington Wizards after years of struggling to make an impact in the NBA playoffs.