What can you buy for $250 million?
Much has been made about the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signing Albert Pujols and CJ Wilson during the winter meetings last week. Owner Arte Moreno bought the franchise for $180 million in 2003, and he committed $329 million to just these two players in the matter of a few hours on Thursday.
Pujols is getting $254 million over the next 10 years. We’ll debate whether that amount is justifiable another time, but this huge contract made me wonder what else you could buy with $250 million.
- You could renovate University of Washington Husky Stadium for $250 million.
- The United States paid $15 million for the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which is roughly $219 million in today’s dollars. You’d still have $30 million left to sign a veteran corner outfielder for 3 years.
- Avatar apparently cost somewhere between $230 million and $500 million.
- CBS lost $250 million in revenue when “Two and a Half Men” was forced to shut down because Charlie Sheen went crazy.
- The FedEx Forum, home of the Memphis Grizzlies, cost $250 million to build in 2004.
- Ocean desalination vessels that use reverse osmosis to remove saltwater and pump it to cities in need of fresh water run a cool $250 million.
- Hurricane Irene cost $250 million to Verizon.
- A-Rod signed a contract for $252 million in 2000. He has since agreed to an extension worth $275 million.
I’m not really sure what these numbers mean, or even if they put that staggering amount in perspective. I just thought it was interesting to see what Arte Moreno could have bought instead of a 32 year old slugger who was drafted in the 13th round.