Sold-out crowd at Hawks game features fans in Magic City-themed merch as backlash grows

The Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic met in a pivotal mid-March NBA matchup with significant Eastern Conference playoff implications. But Atlanta’s 10th straight victory in front of a capacity crowd was overshadowed by the fallout from the canceled Magic City promotion.

The Hawks’ short-lived collaboration with the Atlanta adult entertainment club, announced Feb. 26, promised exclusive merchandise, themed lemon pepper wings, and an on-court performance by Atlanta native and Hip-Hop star T.I. 

But earlier this month...