The Calhoun Shot

The Calhoun Shot, also known as the Immaculate Connection,[1][2] was a basketball shot made by spectator Don Calhoun during a timeout in the third quarter of a Chicago Bulls–Miami Heat game on April 14, 1993.[3][4][5] The shot was part of a promotion that offered 1 million dollars to any fan who could make a 75-foot shot through the basket from the free-throw line at the opposite end of the court.[6][7] Despite the insurance company that was required to make the payoff trying to void the payment on a technicality—due to Calhoun having played college basketball, a violation of the rules—the sponsors of the event (Coca-Cola, the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, and the Bulls) pledged to cover the prize if the insurance company would not. As a result, Calhoun got $50,000 a year over the next 20 years.[8]

The Calhoun Shot
DateApril 14, 1993 (1993-04-14)
VenueChicago Stadium
LocationChicago, Illinois
Also known asThe Immaculate Connection
TypePromotion event
Budget1 million dollars
Organised by
ParticipantsDon Calhoun

The shot, and the news coverage it gained, are credited with the rise of similar promotions during sport events.[1][9]

Contestant

Don Calhoun was at the time an office supplies salesman.[10][11] He had played basketball for Bloomington High School and later for Triton College during the 1988–1989 season. Following the shot, he signed a one-year contract with the Harlem Globetrotters.[12][13]

References
  1. Ryan Hockensmith (11 April 2023). "The $1 million shot that changed sports contests forever". ESPN. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  2. Lisa Bessone (26 April 1993). "Don Calhoun". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  3. "Flashback: Bulls fan drains $1 million shot in 1993". ESPN. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. Nancy Ryan (16 April 1993). "Million-dollar shot: Who pays for miracle?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  5. Pamela Swanigan (28 May 1994). "All that glitters". The Vancouver Sun. pp. D10–D11. Retrieved 15 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  6. Michael Wilbon (16 April 1993). "Long shot comes home a million-dollar winner". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  7. "Chicago Bulls: 'Million Dollar Shot' man will get his money". United Press International. 18 April 1993. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  8. Mal Florence (20 April 1993). "Insurance Company Tries to Call a Technical on $1-Million Shot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  9. Mark Kram (14 April 1994). "Same guy, only richer". Philadelphia Daily News. pp. 84–85. Retrieved 15 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  10. Stefan Schürle (14 April 2023). "Der verrückteste Wurf der Geschichte?". Sport1 (in German). Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  11. Ira Berkow (28 April 1993). "Making the Shot Michael Couldn't Make". New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  12. Jay Horning (13 March 1994). "$1-million basket changed his life". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  13. "One-Shot Wonder Now A 'Trotter". The Seattle Times. 17 January 1994. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
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