USC, which operates the Coliseum, confirmed Thursday it will submit a proposal to the NFL. But under the terms of USC's lease with the Coliseum Commission, the university can host only one team at the stadium on a temporary basis of up to four years.

"USC will be responding to the NFL's RFP [request for proposal] and we hope to welcome an NFL team into the Coliseum starting in the 2016 season," Todd Dickey, USC's senior vice president for administration, said in a written statement.

The Rose Bowl decision was especially surprising because in 2005, when the venue gave up its bid to be a permanent NFL home, Pasadena funded an environmental impact report to position the Rose Bowl as a temporary site. 

Officials of the Rose Bowl do not want their stadium to serve as a temporary home for an NFL team that relocates to Los Angeles.

The RBOC, which runs the Pasadena stadium, decided it was more productive and lucrative for the Rose Bowl to pursue a music and arts festival, which would take place annually during three days in June.

“We believe that a music and arts festival is more fitting with Pasadena's brand and with the future of the stadium,” said Victor Gordo, RBOC president and a member of the Pasadena City Council. “With our desire to have certainty of finances of the stadium, and to have a world-class event that's fitting of the city.”