1970
1971
1972
1973
All but one of the 22 1st division teams use AstroTurf for their surface, only Washington City at the National Stadium uses natural grass.
Brinson Meyer becomes coach of Vermont 1791, the first black coach of a team in either of the top 2 divisions.
On November 10, Chicago South defeats Minneapolis Star Club 22-12 in the afternoon. During an evening match, Montreal PC rallies to draw Washington City at 21 apiece. This tie allows Les Nationales to edge the Meat Packers by a point to win the Premiership. The night game drew a 37.6 rating, 68 share and over 55 million viewers on NBC.
1974
On January 23, in response to the 1973 title finish and a recession, PL President Thomas Hayes announces several sweeping changes to the rules to increase scoring and action: Tie games are eliminated, replaced by a ten-minute overtime period, if a match remains tied, a five-player penalty shootout is then used, if the tie has not broken after five rounds, the shootout continues into sudden-death; A 25-yard arc is introduced allowing for more points from long distance kicks, any low goal from beyond the arc is worth 3 points and any high goal is worth 6; a 30-second kick clock is introduced for set-kicks, any violation of the kick clock results in a free play for the opposing team; statuing is outlawed, statuing violations result in a free play; teams are prohibited from kicking the ball backwards in their defensive zone more than twice in the same possession; goaltenders receiving the ball on a backwards pass must kick the ball, not throw; 20 yard penalties are added for stalling, impeding a free play, and statuing; players caught high tackling and slew-footing were to be immediately ejected; players may block downfield to help a ball-handler; and players on the mark during a set-kick could not serve as launch pads for other players to block set-kicks. The rules were ultimately applied at the College and International levels in 1975, except for the overtime and shootout rules, which were immediately adopted by the NCAA and NAIA.
Also in response to the 1973 Premiership situation, the First Division plays all Round 42 matches at the same time on the same day, a practice that continues to this day(with the exception of 2013).
CBS and NBC extend their contracts to carry the 1st Division on TV through 1976, but at their request, the markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are guaranteed to have a club in the 1st Division.
1975
The requirement of ejection for high-tackles is rescinded.
1976
1977
ABC rejoins CBS and NBC as a television partner for the 1st Division, it's deal also includes the promotion playoffs from the 2nd Division. All three contracts are extended to 1980.
1978
1979