CALGARY -- The focus was on the future of the financially-troubled Argonauts as Toronto prepared to play the Calgary Stampeders. Both clubs are 2-3 and desperately need a win tonight (CBC, 7 p.m.) at McMahon Stadium to keep their playoff hopes alive.
But, inevitably, questions keep being asked about the status of the Argos and owner Sherwood Schwarz. The league has been paying the Argos' bills while seeking new investors.
Revoking Schwarz's ownership is a last resort, Calgary owner Michael Feterik said yesterday.
The league's owners would also prefer not to fold the franchise and then have it reborn, as were Montreal Alouettes, when a new stadium smaller than the SkyDome is available in downtown Toronto.
"It's very important to have Toronto in the league but, if they're not, then maybe it's not a disaster," said Feterik. "Montreal wasn't in the league for five years but we want to keep Toronto.
"We're sticking together and we're taking care of each other. That's what we have to do.
"Sherwood has put a lot of time and money into this situation. Starting off this year with the SARS situation and ending last year the way they did, actually we thought that they would come around, and they just couldn't draw any people."
Calgary coach Jim Barker, who coached the Argos in 1999 when they went 9-9, said Toronto management must get through to the next generation of fans.
Torontonians don't value their football club the way Calgarians do, he said.
"Here, the Stampeders are valued in this community," said Barker. "They're looked on as a prize.
"It wasn't looked at as a prize in Toronto. I think that's probably the biggest difference."
Argos head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons praised his players for concentrating on the action on the field rather than off of it.
The buzz about the team's uncertain future is nothing new, he said.
"It has gone farther into the season than we'd like," said Clemons. "But, with that, it's no different than it was during the offseason.
"We're under a reorganization and the thing for me is the understanding that all of Ontario, pretty much, is trying to reorganize their finances. This isn't a Toronto Argonaut thing."
