I’m guessing the store is paying Ovie to be there and that they are setting that price. I’ve not had a ton of trouble getting him to sign things for free at practice in the past.

Posted by false_cause from DC on 12/29/09 at 07:41 PM ET

I think you’re probably right.  The athletes don’t usually set the prices for autographs, it’s a sports agency or something.  I have known some athletes who actually didn’t sign at a particular place because they didn’t like the prices being charged for their signatures that they willingly gave away for free in less formal situations.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 12/29/09 at 07:54 PM ET

Please!  If this story was about Crosby, those first two comments would not have been so understanding….

Posted by reality on 12/29/09 at 09:37 PM ET

ovechkin recently signed an exclusive deal with Upper Deck on hockey cards. That deal will influence everything else he signs..

in person autos are over rated.. Just wave, and show your support (if you are fan).

Posted by canesice on 12/29/09 at 10:26 PM ET

I think autographs in general are overrated. If you get to meet a player and shake his hand, maybe say “hey great goal/save”, that’s fantastic. But if you really think I’m going to pay 2-50X what something’s worth because someone scribbled on it, get real.

And the wrong ink on a jersey just means it sits in your closet because you won’t be able to wash it. What’s the point?

The only autograph worth anything to me would be on a bar napkin that said “James bought me a beer - Joey Kocur”... at least you could show it off to your friends.

Posted by JAMESinMI on 12/29/09 at 10:59 PM ET

If you go to a practice you could simply wait for him to come out afterwards and get it for free.  There’s a chance other people could be all-around or that he doesn’t want to sign for everybody but it’s pretty open at the top of a parking garage and the Caps (like most all hockey players) are pretty generous about signing stuff on the walk to their car.

But like you JamesinMI, I don’t think it’s that special to get a messy, unreadable squiggle on merchandise when the player isn’t looking at you anyways.

Posted by Hooks Orpik on 12/29/09 at 11:43 PM ET

Please!  If this story was about Crosby, those first two comments would not have been so understanding….

Posted by reality on 12/29/09 at 09:37 PM ET

Actually they probably would.  It’s not the athletes (in most cases) who set prices for their memorabilia, or they would give away as few autographs as possible for free.  The only athlete I can think of offhand who makes his own way in the memorabilia market is Barry Bonds, who I think sells all his own items instead of going through MLB like the other baseball players.

I can see an autograph meaning more if there was more of a story behind it than “I had to stand in line for a long time before I got to the table and spoke with Ovechkin for five seconds,” but they wouldn’t do it if there wasn’t a demand.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 12/30/09 at 07:09 AM ET

ovechkin’s auto is horrible anyhow..
check ebay for various hockey card auctions.. I’d make those scribbles all day for just $1 each.

Any takers?

Posted by canesice on 12/30/09 at 09:40 AM ET

Wait… is it Ovechkin charging this, or the store owner?

My guess would be for the latter who is milking a San Jose appearance by the Caps for all he can.  I doubt Ovechkin said, “hey guys… we’ve got time to kill today, let’s go sign autographs and make some pocket change”.

Posted by Jason from VA on 12/30/09 at 09:56 AM ET

In September Alex Ovechkin signed my kids jerseys with a smile for nothing.  Check into this before you imply or infer something.

Posted by Ken from Richmond on 12/30/09 at 10:19 AM ET

I hope this is the trend for all athletes at these type events.  When people come up to you and get your autograph, then turn around and sell it on ebay, something has to be done, and this seems the best solution.  If he wants to give away his signiture to someone with out charge, fine; but, as a rule I agree with this 100…...and this is from a Caps fan!!!!

Posted by Capsfan from Virginia on 12/30/09 at 05:16 PM ET