(WIBC.com file photo)

The NFL's announcement of the finalists to host the 2016 and 2017 Super Bowls removes one possible obstacle to Indy's bid for the year after that.

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Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Tuesday that San Francisco, Houston and South Florida are all in the running for Super Bowls L and LI. Indiana Sports Corporation president and CEO Allison Melangton says the good news for Indy is the absence of any cold-weather cities.

There had been speculation about a bid from Minneapolis or Saint Louis. Melangton notes the NFL prefers not to bring the Super Bowl to cold-weather cities too frequently. Instead, Minneapolis announced last month it would seek Super Bowl LII, LIII or LIV, putting it in direct competition with Indianapolis for 2018. New Orleans, which will host its 10th Super Bowl this season, is reportedly considering a bid for that year as well, to coincide with the city's tricentennial.

Minneapolis could have the same edge Indy enjoyed in landing this year's game: the Minnesota Vikings will move into a new stadium in 2016.

Finalists for the 2018 game will be announced a year from now, with NFL owners selecting a host city in May 2014.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard announced in July the city would pursue a second Super Bowl, after earning rave reviews for its first in February. Melangton says planners will regroup next summer to discuss the framework for the bid, including additions to the Super Bowl Village, and a new "legacy project." This year's Super Bowl left behind a new youth sports and community center on the near eastside, plus seven affordable housing developments complete or under construction.