The Football League in England has concluded a two-month rebranding exercise by renaming itself as the English Football League.

While the name change might seem a minor tweak, a more radical approach will be taken at the end of the current, 2015-16 season, when the league will adopt the abbreviation EFL for everyday use.

The change is designed to create more interest towards the competition in foreign markets such as the US, where most major sports leagues use shortened names.

In addition to the new monicker, the league has unveiled a new logo – a football made up of three swathes of 24 smaller balls, representing the 72 clubs playing across the three divisions.

The league has decided not to rename its three divisions – called Championship, League One and League Two – and will instead keep them as they are.

In a statement, a spokesperson described the changes as “comprehensive”.

The Football League’s CEO, Shaun Harvey said: "We believe the EFL name and brand will give our competitions an identity that is new and distinct, while at the same time retaining our unique heritage.

"As such, it will be something that all fans can identify with - whether they be young or old, at home or abroad.

“In an increasingly challenging global sports market, it’s essential that sports properties can project a modern identity that not only resonates with their regular audience but is also easily recognisable to a broader audience of potential fans, viewers and commercial partners.”

The changes have received a lukewarm response from football fans with supporters of the league’s two Welsh teams – Cardiff City and Newport – particularly perplexed with the new name.

What are your views on the rebranding? Let us know by emailing Tom Walker, managing editor of Sports Management magazine.