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The first change is that of "World League of American Football" to "NFL Europe." A fairly cosmetic alteration on first glance, but you never know, it might actually do something. The removal of the word "American" from the League's name may be enough to get the xenophobes out of their armchairs and along to games (particulary here in good old sceptical Britain). It also further emphasises the League's links with the NFL, which might help win over some of the American market, plus the NFL snobs in Europe. (But let's not get started on them.) Euro-Disney saw more success when it changed its name to Disneyland Paris, will we see the same kind of thing with the WLAF, sorry ... NFL Europe? I can see this might take a bit of time to get used to. (Pedants corner ... how can you have a National Football League Europe? Doesn't really make sense, but what the hell!)

The new playoff format also appeals to me. I'm surprised they've gone for the top four entering the playoffs as opposed to the top three, and this brings its own set of advantages and drawbacks. On the downside, it means that the third-bottom team in the League could win the Bowl with the top team not even making the final. Is that a big problem, though? Not really. The plus points outweigh the negative ones. For a start, I expect the top two teams will be handed home-field advantage for the semi-finals.

Not only do we have an extra week of games, we now end the season two semi-finals and a final ... making it a true knockout competition. Semi-finals have their own special atmosphere, heavy with tension, excitement and passion. Nobody remembers the losers of a semi-final, if you lose it's the most demoralising moment of the season; if you win it's the best feeling in the world. Plug the host stadia into the national grid and sell off the surplus electricity!

Frankfurt is finally hosting the World Bowl. There will probably be some dissenting voices about this decision, but if you want an extra week of games, it's probably wise to decide the venue in advance ... allow time for ticket sales, things like that. The Frankfurters love the game so much, I would expect a good attendance even if they don't make it to the World Bowl (which I think they will). The problem comes in seasons after that when other cities host the game and don't have their team playing in it. I mean, I'd go to a Barcelona -v- Rhein World Bowl at Murrayfield, but how many others of the 39,000 who went to World Bowl '96 would? No, I'm afraid the Scottish fairweather fans may be just a little too choosy. Of course, I'd love them to surprise me!

The proposed World Classic Bowl also brings up some interesting points. Whose rules do we use? It might end up as a compromise set of rules; part NFL Europe, part CFL. I'd love to be at the committee meeting deciding that one. Where do you play the game? Another goodie. Year-about in Europe and Canada is probably the best solution for this one, toss a coin to see who goes first. It's a lovely idea, but I do have my doubts about how the two codes will be merged.

The allocation policy of the league is also to be updated. I don't know how, but here's my wish ... an allocation policy which stops NFL teams having so much say in who plays on what team and how much game time they want them to get. They screwed the league around in 1995 with that silly revolving door quarterbacks rule, and the standard of play improved once that rule was removed. Less allocation politics would bring about further improvements in the standard of play, which must be good for all parties involved. Yes, NFL Europe is a feeder for the NFL (do we call it NFL USA now?), but it has to be allowed to simultaneously operate credibly in its own context if it is to prosper.

Another interesting idea I read in a letter in First Down over the summer mentioned semi-franchising, that is, selling off part of the franchises to businesspeople. This could, if managed correctly, lead to improved marketing, improved public relations and a more secure long-term future for the franchises. Of course, it all depends on the business abilities of the people buying in. Just think what could happen if Richard Branson bought into the Claymores. (On the other hand, we'd then probably have Virgin written all over the kit. (Kind of appropriate for this year, considering the number of times we scored, though.))

The proposed changes are a good step along the way to improving NFL Europe's standing, but success all depends on how many of them actually happen.