The NBA has canceled the Atlanta Hawks’ planned “Magic City Monday” promotional event after criticism from players and concerns raised across the league about celebrating a strip club during a game night.

The event had been scheduled for March 16 during the Hawks’ matchup against the Orlando Magic at State Farm Arena. The team had announced plans to highlight what it described as one of Atlanta’s “iconic cultural institutions,” featuring themed food, merchandise, and a halftime performance by rapper T.I.

The promotion drew criticism from several players, including San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, who argued the event conflicted with the league’s goal of maintaining a family-friendly environment.

“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,” Kornet wrote in a statement. “We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful… The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”

Golden State Warriors center Al Horford, who previously played for the Hawks, also voiced support for the criticism, saying the event did not align with creating an environment suitable for fans of all ages.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Monday that the league intervened after learning about the promotion.

“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” Silver said in a statement. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees. I believe cancelling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

The Hawks responded Monday evening, saying they respect the league’s decision despite disappointment over the cancellation.

“While we are very disappointed in the NBA’s decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect its decision,” the team said in a statement posted on social media. “As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta with authenticity in ways that continue to unite and bring us all together.”

While the team’s promotional materials did not explicitly describe Magic City as a strip club, the venue has long been known as a prominent adult entertainment establishment in Atlanta since the 1980s. The Hawks had planned to highlight several aspects of the location’s cultural reputation, including its well-known lemon pepper wings, which were set to be featured as a special menu item during the game.

It remains unclear whether T.I. will still perform despite the cancellation of the themed promotion. The Hawks and Orlando Magic are still scheduled to tip off Monday night at 7:00 p.m.