Why Ovechkin wanted to be the last pick in the draft

[Axeman33]

Although I think it's great he wanted to win the car so he could donate it to charity, doesn't the guy make enough money that he could simply go out and buy a Honda himself and donate it???

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/r...r-for-charity/

Alex Ovechkin was lobbying hard to become the last pick in the NHL all-star draft on Friday in hopes of winning a new car. And now we know why.

Ovehckin planned on donating the wheels to a cause close to his heart, and Honda granted him his wish on Sunday by giving him a key to a new car. The Capitals star will donate the car to the Washington Ice Dogs, a local hockey program for children and young adults with physical and developmental disabilities.

[ericdaoust]

Maybe his plan was to do both?

[2014olympicgold]

I read this yesterday and felt bad about chirping him, but then quickly thought of the same thing. He could just buy one and donate it. Maybe there’s some tax/donating laws with cars no one really knows about that prevented him from buying the car, then selling it off (for $1) to the charity. I know getting a car from my uncle was tough even when I was buying it.

Like if he won the car, he would have just put it in the charities name outright, instead of buying a car from the dealer (in his name) then giving it to the charity. Like 1^st option would have cost $0, second option would have cost $20G (for the car) + taxes + selling taxes and what not, causing the donation of an accord to cost $40?

[Axeman33]

I read this yesterday and felt bad about chirping him, but then quickly thought of the same thing. He could just buy one and donate it. Maybe there’s some tax/donating laws with cars no one really knows about that prevented him from buying the car, then selling it off (for $1) to the charity. I know getting a car from my uncle was tough even when I was buying it.

Like if he won the car, he would have just put it in the charities name outright, instead of buying a car from the dealer (in his name) then giving it to the charity. Like 1^st option would have cost $0, second option would have cost $20G (for the car) + taxes + selling taxes and what not, causing the donation of an accord to cost $40?

Ya, hard to say what the reasoning is as to why he seemed like he "needed" to win the car instead of simply dealing with it himself outside the ASG.

[ericdaoust]

I think he wants to have it both ways by getting a free car and spending his cash on beer.

[Dobbernomics]

Although I think it's great he wanted to win the car so he could donate it to charity, doesn't the guy make enough money that he could simply go out and buy a Honda himself and donate it???

I don't think that's the point though. Honda had already decided to give away two cars, so no matter what, those cars were going to be given to a pair of players. Instead of those cars ultimately being given by the players to a member of their family (or perhaps just sold outright), I don't see the harm in lobbying to donate a car to a worthy cause.

[2014olympicgold]

I don't think that's the point though. Honda had already decided to give away two cars, so no matter what, those cars were going to be given to a pair of players. Instead of those cars ultimately being given by the players to a member of their family (or perhaps just sold outright), I don't see the harm in lobbying to donate a car to a worthy cause.

Yeah, Ovi getting the car would have been better than RNH getting it in the end, but if Honda didn’t give Ovi a car on Sunday to give to the charity, do you think he would have bought one himself for the charity? Ovi might have.

[newfcollins]

I read this yesterday and felt bad about chirping him, but then quickly thought of the same thing. He could just buy one and donate it. Maybe there’s some tax/donating laws with cars no one really knows about that prevented him from buying the car, then selling it off (for $1) to the charity. I know getting a car from my uncle was tough even when I was buying it.

Like if he won the car, he would have just put it in the charities name outright, instead of buying a car from the dealer (in his name) then giving it to the charity. Like 1^st option would have cost $0, second option would have cost $20G (for the car) + taxes + selling taxes and what not, causing the donation of an accord to cost $40?

I think taxes are the big thing. I remember reading something on Oprah's giveaways a few years back. She got cars for free, and gave them away to audience members. But she said it was a contest, not a gift. If it's a contest, the winner pays taxes. If it's a gift, I'm not sure who pays the taxes.

So it could be the same thing here.

[louba5]

Maybe using the car, the story gets more attention form the media, and it gives some spotlight for the association he's donating the car. I'm maybe, probably, naive to think that, but let's say I prefer to think that way..

[Dandx]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...-wanted-a-car/

[robmyatt]

Seen this tweet too which is a good point.

People being upset that Ovechkin got Honda to donate a car instead of buying it himself should realize Ovi makes $10M/year, Honda $119B

[LawMan]

Seen this tweet too which is a good point.

People being upset that Ovechkin got Honda to donate a car instead of buying it himself should realize Ovi makes $10M/year, Honda $119B

Haha great point! I get annoyed when people criticize stars who they think are not doing enough for charity, "he bought them a car, why not two? he bought two, why not five?" etc. etc.

I think this whole thing is getting over analyzed. Ovechkin knew that the last pick got a car and he also happens to be an outgoing guy. He figured he'd lobby for the last pick so that he could win the car, which he wanted to donate to charity. He didn't make a big deal about his plan because it's hard to guilt trip the captains like that. I see why the captains picked him 3rd last too, to rib him was funny. All of it was in good fun (it's funny because we all know Ovy is loaded and isn't going to drive a Honda around Washington). Then when Ovy doesn't win any car he leaks the story to Honda who gets to come riding in on a white horse and give him an additional car to give to charity, great press for Honda, great press for Ovy, charity gets a car, everybody wins!

He could have bought them a car if Honda didn't come through without breaking a sweat, but as the quoted tweet points out so could Honda!

[BlackGold]

Really guys? He wanted to give something that none of the other millionaire hockey players needed to a charity, and all people do is question his motives? I personally am not even close to being able to gift a brand new car to charity so I'm just going to appreciate Ovie for the nice guy he is.

[The Comish]

Rest assured if there was a Vespa on the line, Ovechkin would have been picked last for sure...and then donated it to a certain "douchey" buddy!

Any truth to the rumour that Honda had to install a child seat on the driver's side for RNH's car?