Losing Harris and Owens hurt the team on the field, but it also left the franchise without a star to market around, which made it tough on the business-operations side. That didn’t deter a confident Copeland, however, who stated that the Argos expected to sell out every game at BMO Field in the team’s inaugural season there.

That goal was nearly achieved in the Argos’ first home game in their new environs. Nearly 25,000 showed out for the CFL season-opener at BMO Field, which has a capacity of 27,600 for football games. And all involved agreed the new venue was a massive step up from Rogers Centre inside and out, with fresh air, barbecues, beer and music creating a long-missing football experience. But whether due to lack of interest in the team or simply too much competition for Toronto sports fans’ attention, attendance quickly dipped to 17,500 or less per game. When the dust cleared, the team had averaged fewer attendees per game than it did for its five Rogers Centre home games in 2015. (That said, season ticket holders nearly doubled.)

The infamous Willy trade—which was made after Ray suffered a fractured rib and partially deflated lung in a Labour Day loss to Hamilton—turned what should have been a rallying point for the team and the fans on its head. And the personnel troubles didn’t stop there. Before that game, the team released starting strong-side linebacker Keon Raymond, who was a defensive captain. Then, on Oct. 3, the team gave pink slips to four receivers—Vidal Hazelton, Tori Gurley, Kevin Elliott and Phil Bates. Team insiders say the group had shown a lack of focus on football and had been consistently late for team obligations, and the move was made to send a message. But the cuts were quickly and roundly criticized. Losing that much talent decimated a receiving corps that had already lost Owens, and cutting just one of them could have potentially done the same job. Instead, each pass catcher found a welcoming new team and the Argos sank some more.