31.   Under a playoff format, that impact would lessen dramatically.

32.   After going back to the traditional for the regular season, Major League Soccer is employing perhaps the most unusual playoff format in U.S. sports.

33.   In an attempt to make the Super Bowl more competitive, the U.S. National Football League is considering changing the current playoff format.

34.   In off-the-field activity, general managers made no change to the playoff format.

35.   Issues such as realignment, playoff formats and an expansion draft have yet to be worked out.

36.   Los Angeles received three points for the victory under a new playoff format.

37.   Tagliabue said the playoff format would remain the same but added the league is considering a different procedure of seeding teams for the postseason.

38.   That would allow for the usual four-week playoff format.

39.   The regular season will last through the end of April, and the playoff format will remain unchanged.

40.   The WNBA playoff format gives the team with the best record the homecourt advantage in the final two games.