Atlanta Hawks mascot Harry The Hawk. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks release questionable video featuring mascot

Harry the Hawk promoted the NBA's in-season tournament in a way that's ruffled some feathers.

The Atlanta Hawks released a commercial implying that their mascot had joined OnlyFans, the video platform generally used by sex workers. The commercial shows Harry the Hawk writhing sensuously under a bedspread and lying on a bed, lasciviously caressing his fuzzy avian body. The ad ends with a whispered voice promising "hot five-on-five action."

If the NBA was looking for something more visually arresting than the harsh, multi-colored tournament courts, they've found it in the image of a six-foot red bird pantomiming self-pleasure. 

The ad doesn't make viewers excited about the in-season tournament as much as it makes viewers worry about what life circumstances have driven Harry the Hawk to these extremes.

 The Hawks play their first tournament game Tuesday in Detroit, but won’t have Harry the Hawk in attendance until the Philadelphia 76ers visit next Friday. 

Let’s hope that Harry is back to doing trampoline dunks and sinking backwards half-court shots. And never, ever filming a video like this again.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Jayson Tatum's historic game helps send Celtics to Eastern Conference semis
Pistons' Cade Cunningham comes alive in fourth quarter to stave off elimination vs. Knicks
Insider suggests four-time Pro Bowl option for Steelers if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign
Steelers may have found another steal in UDFA pool as Pittsburgh lands an athletic freak
Cubs defeat Pirates with an impressive night at the plate
Watch: Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton eliminate the Bucks in OT
Watch: Blue Jays' Daulton Varsho makes potential catch of the year
How Steelers reportedly expect Aaron Rodgers saga will end
Spurs' Stephon Castle runs away with Rookie of the Year Award
Watch: Yankees open game with three straight home runs ... again
Juan Soto's bat speed decline threatens Mets' $765 million investment
Ousmane Dembele strike lifts PSG over Arsenal in first leg of Champions League semifinal
Report: CB Jaire Alexander might stick with Packers
Kings to make Doug Christie new head coach in full-circle moment
Canucks make decision on HC Rick Tocchet's future
NFL team executive expands on what Browns' Shedeur Sanders did wrong before draft
Panthers' Aaron Ekblad to have Player Safety hearing
Reaction across NHL over Aaron Ekblad’s retaliatory hit on Brandon Hagel
Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, Zach Werenski named Norris Trophy finalists
49ers sign star TE to four-year extension