The Atlanta Hawks’ NBA in-season tournament ad, inspired by OnlyFans, faced backlash from the team’s star players.
The promotional video, released on Thursday, featured the team’s mascot, Harry The Hawk, in bed, with a woman in the background delivering a narration that drew attention to its unconventional approach.
“Only Hawks Fans know where the real action is,” she said in the clip, which was posted to the Hawks’ Instagram and X accounts Thursday. “Hawks fans know just where to get it.”
After an awkward moment where Harry strokes his hip, the woman in the ad continues: “The all new NBA in-season tournament, join in and wake up your wild side.”
The video concludes with someone whispering: “Hot five-on-five action.”
Both of Atlanta’s All-Star guards, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, appeared displeased with the OnlyFans-inspired ad for the NBA in-season tournament.
I had no part of this..🤦🏽♂️😂 https://t.co/qgCmPBiIR0
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) November 9, 2023
MANNNNNNN DELETE THIS SHIT!!!!!!! https://t.co/voIPvogVa4
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) November 9, 2023
Hawks’ Trae Young, Dejounte Murray not happy with team’s OnlyFans ad https://t.co/AEYk2PMolU pic.twitter.com/OTRXXIYWyo
— New York Post (@nypost) November 10, 2023