As Commissioner, My First Act

NHL: Full Face Shields
Rule: Every player is required to wear a full face shield.

Improvement: The impact on player safety is obvious, and junior players have worn them for years.
Fighting would still be permitted after removing the shield.

Is the rule needed?: Players always have the option of wearing a shield, but without a league-wide mandate it is greatly disadvantageous for those who choose to.

Potential drawbacks: Players may become increasingly reckless with face shields, blocking shots or using the helmet as a weapon.

Also under consideration: Tightening "boarding" enforcement, suspensions for diving,


NBA: Timeouts
Rule: One timeout permitted per half

Improvement: The NBA game plods along, at best. Exciting fast breaks, defensive collapses, turnovers - all require immediate timeouts by coaches. This removes any semblance of momentum from the game.
Also, the commonality of timeouts enables coaches to draw up set plays whenever the situation calls for it. While not a negative in-and-of-itself, this has turned into a crutch for players. Instead of cunning resourcefulness, the league requires dutiful obedience and - when need be - the ability to make a terrible shot because the coach's play doesn't work as designed and over-coaching has stifled creativity.

Is the rule needed?: If you've ever watched the final minutes of a close NBA game then you know the answer.

Potential drawbacks: Less commercials (keep in mind I'm a commish here), restricted substituting

Also under consideration: Less personal fouls per game, loosen "blocking" foul calls, speeding up everything else (shorter shot-clock, free throw routines, etc...)


NFL: Overtime
Rule: First team to score 5 points in overtime wins.

Improvement: This would add a great deal of intrigue any game that went to overtime. Coaches would be faced with much more difficult decisions, and many teams would act differently in the same situation (playing to the respective strengths of the teams). Kicking may be magnified or eschewed.

Is the rule needed?: No, but fans are clamoring for the rule to be changed and a "coin filp-short drive-long field goal" ending to a Superbowl would be perceived as unfairly arbitrary.

Why 5 instead of 6?
It may lead to a situation where a team would concede a meaningless safety to gain field position.

Potential drawbacks: Superbowl finish may be too epic, having to listen to every broadcaster explain the rule for the next two years

Also under consideration: loosening "roughness" penalties, limiting front office and coaching signings until well after the Superbowl, re-establishing the CBA/salary cap, loosening "No Fun League" regulations, re-invent Pro Bowl, increase the difficulty of the PAT (point after touchdown)