Sports

Mega Millions Jackpot Grows to Record $500 Million

Taking the "lump sum" might make you as wealthy as Minnesota-born Prince, and pay you more than that famous Kevin Garnett contract with the Timberwolves.

You didn't win Tuesday night's Mega Millions jackpot? No worries.

Neither did anyone else.

Now, the prize amount has grown to the highest-ever in the game's 15-year history. Friday night's estimated jackpot sits at $500 million, already up from Wednesday morning's initial estimate of $476 million. The drawing occurs at 11 p.m., with a 10:45 p.m. cutoff for buying tickets.

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To put it in comparison with some Minnesota figures:

Remember that gigantic contract the Minnesota Timberwolves signed with Kevin Garnett during the 1998 season? Garnett was given $126 million over six years. And he had to work 82 games (plus some playoff games) for that one.

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Joe Mauer? Sure, the kid's been scrutinized, but he still signed his "huge" contract a couple of years ago for $184 million over eight years.

That pales in comparison to a potential payout from the Mega Millions lottery. Plus, Joe has to play 162 games a year, plus work out at spring training, for that hefty salary. And there's no gaurantee he'll play out eight years.

The only guy who might be in the ballpark (sorry) is Chanhassen-based Prince (or at least he was), who Forbes valued at about $250 million last year.

Speaking of ballparks, you could, conceivably, after some investment perhaps, help the state fund its $398 million portion of the proposed Vikings Stadium. Or, just bail out Minneapolis with its share—a cool $150 million.

Either way, you'd cover a lot of pull tabs.

For those still needing to check, Tuesday's winning numbers were 09, 19, 34, 44, 51 and the gold ball of 24.

Of the Top 10 largest prizes ever awarded in the multi-state game, none of the winning tickets have ever been sold in Minnesota.

So Woodbury, what would you do with $500 million?


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