Whether a professional athlete, businessman, regular joe or anything in between, seemingly everyone across the country has been captivated by Wednesday’s Powerball drawing, with the payout up to a record $1.5 billion.
Those in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah are facing more of an uphill battle as the aforementioned states do not participate in the lottery game.
A Powerball inner(s) will have the option to take a lump sum of over $800 million or receive the $1.5 billion through annual payments over 29 years.
No matter the selection, hitting Wednesday’s jackpot would certainly be life-changing — even for professional athletes.
To gain some insight from them, Jimmy Traina of FOX Sports asked three simple questions, with Brandon McCarthy a lone standout as he chose not to participate in the lotto:
1) Are you buying tickets for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing? 2) What would you buy if you won? 3) Would you quit you job?
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brandon McCarthy
1. No. I understand odds. Plus, the time I’d waste waiting in line to buy a ticket isn’t worth the possibility of winning it to me
2. Be surprised considering I didn’t buy a ticket.
3. No. If you’d quit your job if you won the Powerball then you’re at the wrong job.
McCarthy’s answers came with his usual candor regularly seen on Twitter and in interviews. He’s currently recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to return around the All-Star break this season.
McCarthy signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2014.