In the latest saga of political correctness versus plain old fun, the NBA has once again shown its priorities. The league recently decided to cancel the Atlanta Hawks’ “Magic City Monday” event. This was meant to be a pregame celebration featuring the venue’s famous chicken wings and music. Now, hold your outrage; despite the jokes and headlines, this event wasn’t actually about putting strippers on display at the game. But who needs facts when sensationalism can lead the day?
The NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, stepped in to call off the event, saying it was in the best interest of the broader NBA community. Evidently, featuring delectable wings from a popular Atlanta strip joint was just too spicy for the Commissioner’s taste — perhaps too much heat for those who are more into tofu varieties of entertainment. They’re clearly worried about the league’s family-friendly (!) image. One has to wonder though, which family wouldn’t bond over a bucket of some of the most praised chicken wings in the city?
The finger-wagging and finger-licking cancelation came after some diligent objection, likely from one of the league’s more morally-conscious players. Reports suggest it centered around a single complaint, allegedly steered by a player’s Christian values. Now, we all know that one killjoy who just can’t let people enjoy a well-roasted drumstick. However, let’s not pretend this was just about a moral stance; many speculate it might have been spurred by someone yearning to get back to the simpler sports days, devoid of themed nights and cultural allusions.
It’s worth noting, and dare I say ironic, the NBA loves to tout itself as a global and culturally inclusive brand. Yet, when it comes to a little local flavor — in a city famous for its strip club scene, no less — the corporate suits seem to be caught in a bind. Of course, this sort of PR crisis is nothing compared to players and endorsements cozying up with foreign entities that do far worse than sell hot wings.
In the end, perhaps the real lesson here is about good marketing. Even with the event’s cancellation, the invitees of Magic City can surely pat themselves on the back. After all, the buzz created around this canceled event has likely done wonders for the strip joint’s visibility. Meanwhile, fans will be left to enjoy plain old basketball nights — where, as some suggestively joke, the only shorts you’ll see are those worn on the court. Given all that’s said and done, the hovering question remains: when will common sense prevail, or are nixed events now dictating a new kind of game strategy?
