The once-bankrupt, now-profitable Underwater Adventures attraction at the Mall of America was sold Wednesday to an unnamed "major global attraction company," but former owner and CEO Todd Peterson declined to release details of the deal until an 11:15 a.m. announcement today.

Peterson and two partners bought the aquarium in June 1999 for about $10 million, less than a year after its previous owners had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Mallgoers pay $18.95 -- $11.95 for children -- to walk through the aquarium's signature glass tunnel.

Peterson, who also has bought and sold major stakes in such companies as Chippewa Springs, Video Update and the Sportsman's Guide, spent millions upgrading the 1.2 million-gallon aquarium that sits under the mall's east entrance.

Despite the recession, Peterson said profits at Underwater Adventures "are at record highs." Sales are up 8 percent from last year, he said. Peterson said he was approached by the buyer, which he described as "a big operation that has invested heavily in all their attractions."

No jobs will be lost because of the sale, he said.

"The longest I've held an investment before this was five years, and I'm pushing 10 years with this one," said Peterson, a Minnesota native. "It was an irresistible, fun business, with very interesting subject matter."

JACKIE CROSBY