7 Great Companies You Could Buy If You Win Mega Millions

Most people have already mapped out their spending plans for a Mega Millions jackpot they'll never actually win. Visions of big boats, sports cars and luxurious houses can become reality just by picking the right numbers. You never know; sooner or later, someone's going to get lucky.

But for some seasoned investors and aspiring CEOs that also play the lottery, splurging on toys isn't top of mind. The Mega Millions jackpot is estimated to be a record-breaking $970 million for Friday's drawing, so a sole winner could plausibly buy an entire company, or at least enough shares to instantly make the person the most influential insider. The pre-tax lump-sum figure of $548 million is a hefty chunk of change. Even after the massive tax hit, the remaining $380 million-$390 million would be enough to give an investor a controlling interest in a whole slew of smaller companies. (The rest of any acquisition could be financed.)

Here are seven publicly traded companies you could own/control if you're lucky enough to win the jackpot all by