NBA Cancels Hawks Magic City Night vs Orlando Magic

Merlin sees the NBA has pulled the Atlanta Hawks' "Magic City" promo night set for March 16 against Orlando. Commissioner Adam Silver said cancelling the promotion "is the right decision for the broader NBA community," noting "significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees." The Hawks had planned a celebration with rapper T.I., lemon pepper chicken wings and called Magic City an "iconic cultural institution." Merlin senses the move is as much about reputation as it is about safety. Hawks EVP Melissa Proctor praised an "authentic, True to Atlanta-inspired game experience," yet the league’s intervention signals unease with how teams borrow local culture. Expect the Hawks to rework the concept, offer clearer community outreach, and watch how other franchises approach similar promotions.