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Pizza Hut marches into madness with $1M giveaway to half-court shot winner

Pizza Hut is offering customers the chance to sink a half-court shot for a $1 million prize with one stipulation: they must do it backwards.

March 18, 2015

Pizza Hut is offering customers the chance to sink a half-court shot for a $1 million prize with one stipulation: they must do it backwards.

"Making half-court shots has become a little too commonplace, so as we upped the ante 20 years ago by stuffing cheese inside pizza crust, we're doing it again by challenging America to make a half-court shot backwards," said Jared Drinkwater, vice president of marketing, in a statement. "The great thing is that even if you won't be in Indianapolis, you still have a shot at this $1 million prize. We can't wait to see what happens on April 5."  

College basketball analyst Jay Williams will host the live event at the Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sunday, April 5, where four fans will attempt the backwards half-court shot for $1 million. To enter for a chance to win a spot in the contest, visit www.stuffedcrustshot.com by Sunday, March 29.

Pizza Hut will randomly choose three winners, announced on Tuesday, March 31, to come to Indianapolis to compete. One participant who can make a backwards lay-up will become the fourth competitor.

Pizza Hut will also offer half off nationwide on all Stuffed Crust Pizza orders on April 9 if a competitor sinks the backwards half-court shot.

"Few things can make a crowd go wild like a made half-court shot, so I can only imagine the reaction a made backwards half-court shot for a million dollars is going to get," said Jay Williams, college basketball analyst and former All-American. "I cannot wait to see what happens in Indianapolis. This is certainly an exciting and flavorful way to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of Stuffed Crust Pizza.”

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Stuffed Crust, the company is offering a 1995 throwback price of $9.99 on large one-topping Stuffed Crust Pizza orders. Basketball legend David Robinson, the original star of the Stuffed Crust commercial, along with Dick Vitale, will lead the advertisement.