During the novel coronavirus pandemic, in which having fans in American stadiums is highly irresponsible given the federal government’s complete failure to control the spread of Covid-19, professional sports teams have turned to inventive ways to get fans involved. MLS and the NBA have used live video feeds of fans displayed in the background of the action. Many MLB teams have created cardboard cutouts of fans behind home plate. Some broadcasters have used computer-animated fans to fill the stadiums.
But nothing beats the Philadelphia Union’s plan.
Forget those cardboard cutouts of ugly fans no one wants to look at, the Union will feature cardboard cutouts of man’s best friend — dogs that are all available for adoption.
Some good boys & girls looking for a snuggle & human to call their own. Would love you furever... 14/10
We've partnered with @subaru_usa to find homes for some amazing doggos this season!Get the 'tails here https://t.co/N90nWsGNEw#DOOP | @dog_rates | #SubaruLovesPets pic.twitter.com/8wEXtqd4xI
— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) August 21, 2020
The “Dogs of Ben” — named after the Sons of Ben supporters group — will be on display during Philadelphia’s Aug. 25 match against New York Red Bulls at Subaru Park, the club’s first home game of the restart. At least 28 dogs will be featured, and you can read about all of them here. There’s Aerosmith, the 2-year-old Boxer mix, Flippy, the 9-year-old Dachshund, Sheba, the 2-year-old Husky mix, Shirley, the 7-year-old Beagle, and many more.
All of the dogs are up for adoption from the Providence Animal Center. We can’t think of a better use of an empty stadium.
The Dogs of Ben are a part of a Subaru Loves Pets initiative, and being a company based in Boulder, Colorado, where it seems like 90 percent of cars are Subarus (and the other 10 percent are Teslas) and 100 percent of people own dogs, we know Subarus are good vehicles for dogs.
