WA premier Roger Cook confirms $65m deal for Bears to return to the NRL

Long-suffering fans of the North Sydney Bears and NRL supporters in WA finally got the news they were waiting for on Wednesday.

Western Australia premier Roger Cook has confirmed an NRL team is heading to his state on a $65 million deal.

Cook took to Instagram to confirm the deal, with the Perth Bears expected to join the expanded competition in either 2027 or 2028.

FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

In a surprise development, the new club will not be charged a licensing fee to become the competition’s 20th team.

The deal had previously hit a number of stumbling blocks over that detail, with the NRL initially seeking a fee of up to $120 million.

“I’m excited to announce today that the WA government has reached an agreement with the Australian Rugby League Commission to establish a new WA based NRL club,” Cook said.

“Not only will this be great news for sports fans, it’s great news for our economy and great news for jobs.”

Watch Roger Cook’s announcement below

Roger Cook has confirmed the Bears are heading to WA. Photos: Supplied/News Corp

The NRL is expected to make an announcement on the deal on Thursday.

The Bears will be added to the already announced Papua New Guinea team, which will have its inaugural campaign in 2028.

“It will deliver a return for taxpayers,” Cook continued. “My government will provide $60 million in direct financial support to the new club over seven years to secure this opportunity for Western Australia.

“And a further $5.6 million in match day and marketing support over the same period.

“But the return to taxpayers will be much more than this.

“New economic activity, more tourism and visitation and the WA brand broadcast across Australia and overseas.”

The announcement will be welcomed by rugby league fans in Western Australia, who have been without a team since the demise of the Western Reds.

The Reds were founded in 1992 and entered the old ARL in 1995 before folding just two years later in the Super League peace deal.

Bears supporters will also be thrilled by the outcome.

A foundation club of the sport, the North Sydney Bears initially merged with Manly after the Super League war to become the Northern Eagles for three seasons.

That partnership folded in 2002, with the club reverting to its form Manly Sea Eagles entity.

The Bears are finally coming back to the NRL.

“We’ve worked hard to secure this deal and we took a strong negotiating position,” Cook added.

“Because of this we can say this will be a membership based, not for profit club.

“The club will be chaired by a Western Australian, every dollar of financial support provided by the WA government support will be spent in Western Australia.

“The NRL will not charge the club a licensing fee.

“This is a great outcome for WA. Like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, WA will host by AFL and NRL sides.

“And I’d back us to compete just as hard in NRL as we do in AFL.

“So let’s get behind the new NRL side, let’s get behind Western Australia as we put the National in NRL.”

The North Sydney Bears currently compete in the secondary NSW Cup. Photo: Tom Parrish

Fans quickly reacted with similar excitement to the premier.

“Thank you Premier! I knew you’d get us over the line! WA scores!” was one comment on his post.

“Excellent news! Go the Perth Bears!” said another.

“Can’t wait to be a member,” added a third.

There has been some resistance in the state to the idea of the Bears name and history being part of the deal.

“Why the bears tho? Bring back the reds!” was one comment.

But the Bears club has long rallied for a return to the competition and it’s expected the club’s cherished old ground North Sydney Oval will hold games as part of the new arrangement.

Originally published as WA premier Roger Cook confirms $65m deal for Bears to return to the NRL