Ovechkin, Anthony, Rodgers among athletes eyeing Powerball

— -- Even though Alex Ovechkin makes $10 million a year playing for the Washington Capitals, he can't pass up the chance to try to win the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot.

He isn't the only star athlete to take a chance on the massive jackpot. New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony told reporters on Monday that he had also purchased tickets and  Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday he also would purchase tickets.

Not long after Ovechkin  scored his 500th NHL goal on Sunday, a photo appeared on social media of the hockey star buying Powerball tickets in Virginia on Saturday with his father.

Ovechkin, who plans to get more tickets, says: "It was funny. Who's going to take a picture of me? It's crazy. People are crazy."

"I don't know. Maybe one, maybe two," he told reporters, when asked how many tickets he planned to buy for Wednesday's drawing. "But there's no chance you're going to win. But if I win, I'll let you guys know."

The 31-year-old Anthony has a base salary of more than $24 million as part of a five-year, $124.1 million contract he signed with the Knicks in 2014.

"I don't think I'm going to ever get hit by an asteroid, I don't think I'm ever going to be president. I might have a better chance to win Powerball," he said.

Asked Monday what he would do with the money if he wins, Anthony said: "I'm going to share it all."

Asked Wednesday what he would do if he won, Rodgers said: "I'd buy an NHL team."

Rodgers, who makes an average of $22 million per season with the five-year, $110 million extension he signed in 2013, said he plans to watch Wednesday night's drawing.

"I mean, why not?" Rodgers said. "C'mon. everybody's got the same opportunity, right? One in 292 million, or billion? Yeah, I've got my tickets."

The 30-year-old Ovechkin is in the eighth season of a $124 million, 13-year contract.

The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292.2 million. The lump sum Powerball payout would be $930 million.

ESPN's Ian Begley, Rob Demovsky and The Associated Press contributed to this report.