Gambadoro Misses Ceremonial Free Throw at Suns Game
Gila River Resorts and Casinos' First Shot promotion drew a miss from John Gambadoro before Suns-Magic tipoff.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Philanthropy
John Gambadoro missed a ceremonial free throw before the Phoenix Suns vs. Orlando Magic game, as part of the Gila River Resorts and Casinos First Shot promotion. The shot hit the rim.
Why it matters
The First Shot promotion ties each attempt to a $10,000 donation from Gila River Resorts and Casinos to the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation, so the donation was made regardless of whether the shot went in. The promotion channels fan-facing game-night activity into charitable funding for local causes.
Gila River Resorts and Casinos commits $10,000 to the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation for each First Shot attempt. The source does not report a cumulative total for the promotion or whether any attempt has gone in.
The players
John Gambadoro
Gambadoro is a Phoenix-area sports radio personality who took the ceremonial free throw.
Gila River Resorts and Casinos
Gila River Resorts and Casinos is a gaming and hospitality company whose First Shot promotion funds charitable giving tied to Suns games.
The details
Gambadoro took one ceremonial shot on the court minutes before tipoff, and the attempt clanked off the rim. He had practiced shots Thursday afternoon at Mortgage Matchup Center and had described his goal and confidence about the shot earlier in the week.
Timeline
Wednesday: Gambadoro described his goal and confidence about the shot.
Thursday afternoon: Gambadoro took practice shots at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Thursday night: Gambadoro missed the ceremonial free throw before the Suns-Magic tipoff.
Season Trajectory
Sponsor-funded shot promotions have become a recurring feature of NBA game nights, converting individual attempts into fixed charitable commitments. This First Shot attempt follows that pattern, linking a single ceremonial shot to a $10,000 donation for the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation.
Each First Shot attempt at a Suns home game triggers a $10,000 donation from Gila River Resorts and Casinos to the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. Fans attending games can track how the promotion contributes to the foundation's funding.
The takeaway
Corporate promotions that tie fan participation to charitable donations can turn a routine game-night moment into direct community funding, regardless of whether the attempt succeeds. Readers interested in local giving can follow how sponsors structure these commitments.
Further reading
For more on local giving, see Philanthropy coverage across the Phoenix area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arizona Sports.
