Commissioner Roger Goodell laid the ground rules for NFL franchises considering relocating to Los Angeles on Friday, according to a memo obtained by NFL.com's Steve Wyche.
The five-point memo, sent to all 32 franchises, opens the door for more than one club to move to L.A., and as early as the 2013 season. Goodell stressed in the memo that the league's owners -- and not individual franchises -- would determine any relocation.
"Although substantial uncertainties remain, stadium development in Los Angeles has advanced to the point where the prospects for a new facility are better than they have been in many years," Goodell wrote in the memo. "At least two potential sites have well-developed plans, and both have moved forward to obtain necessary government approvals."
The Los Angeles Times first reported the existence of the memo.
The league must receive a relocation application from a franchise between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15, 2013, in order to move for that season. The move would then be subject to approval by NFL owners.
According to other guidelines put forth in the memo, a new stadium in Los Angeles must fit two teams, but the league is not wedded to having the stadium downtown.
"Given that simultaneous league-wide investment in two stadiums in the same community is unlikely, we believe that the best approach will be a single site where an iconic facility could credibly both host two teams and provide ancillary entertainment and development opportunities," Goodell added.
Goodell also stated that no NFL franchise has exclusive rights to the Los Angeles market. Late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis had once claimed to have held the rights to that market after the team moved back to Oakland.
