In Addition to the EPL Moving to a Summer Schedule, More Changes Await

Following the approval of Arsène Wenger's request to move the English Premier League to a summer schedule, the Football Association saw this as an excellent opportunity to look at any possible flaws with the EPL. 

Instead of a 2011-12 EPL season next August, the season will not begin until the third week of February and will continue until early November. Even though the regular season is expected to end, the top eight clubs will make it to the 2012 EPL playoffs, a new, exciting way to boost television contracts and determine who the true league champion is. 

"We've seen how successful it has been in the MLS," FA Chairmen David Bernstein said. "Not only in terms of crowds of nearly 12-14,000 in the Cup Finals [like last year], but also the television ratings are astounding, unprecedented figures". 

Last year's MLS Cup Final between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids drew a network rating of 0.4, with nearly one million Americans. 

Another issue that the FA discussed is trying to emphasize their rivalries better, and trying to create rivalries between teams, something that has been lagging in the EPL for many years. According to Bernstein, the FA decided that the solution would be to install conferences into the Premiership, which is thought to be a "slam dunk" for fans eager to cut down other fans. 

"The only way to truly emphasize rivalries is to have these conferences, and it's something our fellow friends across the pond have used and prided themselves on," Bernstein said. "I mean, doesn't it sound more like a rivalry if Everton and Liverpool play each other six, maybe seven, times a season rather than twice? I think not!"

Clubs for the 2012 season will be divided equally into two conferences, 10 clubs in the Northern Conference and 10 in the Southern Conference. To ignite playoff madness, the top two clubs in each conference will earn automatic playoff spots, while the remaining spots will be given via "wild-cards."

In order to not confuse the casual British fans, the Premier League will likely use a best-two-out-of-three system, rather than aggregate, as well as make the semifinal fixtures only one match. These semifinal fixtures will not be referenced as the semifinals, though; rather the "Northern" and "Southern" Conference Finals, where the winner will be given a shiny trophy for their efforts.

The EPL Cup will likely be played at a neutral venue, with sites such as Wembley under consideration. 

This doesn't mean that the regular season winners will not receive any incentive. 

"Absolutely not," Bernstein added. "They will win the EPL Shield. With it, we can keep the handful of hardcore fans satisfied."

The FA is likely to give the EPL Shield winners a direct Group Stage spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Additionally, amidst all the excitement already emanating from the regular season overhaul, the FA will look into adding a draft for 2013, simulating closed-franchises, and moving away from the FIFA calendar.