- Western bears have taken a hard hit
- ARLC bosses deemed their offers too low
The Western Bears’ bids to become the NRL’s 18th franchise were dealt a blow on Tuesday.
Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) boss Peter V’landys informed the Western Australian government that bids from a consortium made up of sponsors from Perth and North Sydney had been rejected, according to reports from He Daily Telegraph.
V’landys confirmed on Tuesday that an offer submitted by the consortium of investors did not meet the financial requirements to successfully found the team, with V’landys stating that its offer had proven “too short”.
The private consortium, led by Cash Converters owner Peter Cumins, had submitted an application to become the NRL’s 18th team in August.
Cumins had reportedly written an open letter to Western Australian league bosses, stating they needed to raise around $30 million to operate the franchise.
But reports from Sydney Morning Herald today claim NRL bosses were left “furious” after sources said the consortium had “overruled” them in their plans to fund the Bears.
It now appears the ARLC is willing to work directly with the Western Australian government to found the 18th franchise, a deal that will reportedly not involve the Bears conglomerate.
ARLC boss Peter V’landys has said the NRL will reject offers from a consortium to found a new part of the NRL in Western Australia.
The consortium, made up of sponsors from Perth and North Sydney, had bid too low
“The offer presented by the consortium has been rejected,” he stated.
‘We will continue to negotiate with the Western Australian government to try to revive the offer.
‘The offer they submitted was significantly short.
‘No bidding team can take the enlargement process for granted.
‘I have made it clear from day one.
‘We will only expand if there is a firm business case and at the moment the Perth business case is not stacking up.
‘If we can’t accumulate it, I can’t bring it to the members for consideration.
‘All I can say is that your offer is extremely short. I will have further discussions with the WA Government, but not necessarily with the current consortium. “The offer presented by the consortium has been rejected,” he said.
It is anticipated that if NRL and WA officials can reach an agreement to establish the new franchise, the team could be operational from 2027.
Rugby league’s top-flight competition has not had a WA-based team since 1997. The Perth Reds had played in the Super League as inaugural members, but were not invited to join the NRL, following the end of the war of the Super League in 1998.
Despite the setback for the Cumins consortium, WA Premier Roger Cook still insists it is important for the NRL to have a team in the western state.
The decision will be difficult for the North Sydney Bears, who left the NRL in 2002.
V’landys stated that the NRL would continue to work with WA to found a new team in Perth.
Washington Prime Minister Roger Cook said the government “has played a supportive role” in the consortium’s private bid.
“Western Australia is the obvious choice for a new team, and the NRL knows WA is a great option for league expansion,” Cook said.
‘They know WA is a clear market for the NRL, we offer significant broadcast opportunities that are unmatched by other offerings and a Perth team would be ready for the 2027 season.
‘The State Government does not participate in the consortium’s private offer. However, we have a supporting role and have expressed a willingness to work with the NRL on things such as the delivery of world class grounds and high performance facilities, an expansion of our successful nationally leading player development program in the schools and support to offer pre-season matches in regional WA to help build a brand and get the community behind the club.