NRL 2024: Western Bears expansion bid formally rejected by Peter V’landys and ARL Commission

In a massive blow for Perth and a stunning development in the battle for the 18th NRL licence, the Western Bears have had their bid to join the league rejected by Peter V’landys and the ARL Commission.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has dropped an expansion bombshell by formally rejecting the Western Bears’ bid.

It comes as the NRL considers a bold move to own and operate their own expansion team based in Western Australia.

The NRL’s expansion plans are in tatters with the Western Bears’ bid to enter the big league in 2027 on life support after having their application knocked back by the ARL Commission with specific concerns surrounding a multimillion-dollar licence fee.

It is a stunning development in the battle for the 18th licence and has huge ramifications for the Western Bears, who now face urgent talks with V’landys to save their bid from total collapse.

The Western Bears are an amalgamation of a Perth consortium and North Sydney as part of a bid supported by the West Australian government.

But V’landys said the bid may not proceed unless major changes are made which has officially failed at this stage.

ARL Commission boss Peter V'landys has formally rejected the Western Bears’ bid.

It is understood the bid document was comprehensive but fell short on the NRL’s financial requirements.

“The bid that the consortium has put in has been rejected,” he said.

“We will still deal with the Western Australian government to try and resuscitate the bid.

“The bid that they put in was significantly short.

“No bid team can take the expansion process for granted.

“I have made this clear from day one.

“We will only expand if there is a firm business case and at the moment Perth’s business case doesn’t stack up.

“If we can’t stack it up I can’t take it to the members for consideration.

“All I will say their bid is extremely short. I will have more talks with the WA government, but not necessarily the current consortium.”

If the NRL do push ahead with a Perth side they still want to retain the Bears moniker.

The NRL informed WA government officials that all was not well during Sunday’s grand final.

The Western Bears are an amalgamation of a Perth consortium and North Sydney. Picture: Julian Andrews.

Despite the obvious setback, Western Australia Premier Roger Cook is still calling on the NRL to have a top flight rugby league side based in Perth for the first time since 1997.

“Western Australia is the obvious choice for a new team, and the NRL knows WA is a great option for the league’s expansion,” Cook said. “They know WA is a clear market for the NRL, we offer significant broadcasting opportunities that are unmatched by the other bids and a Perth team would be ready to go for the 2027 season.

“The State Government isn’t involved in the consortium’s private bid. However, we have a supporting role and have expressed our willingness to work with the NRL on things like delivering top-tier grounds and high-performance facilities, an expansion of our successful nation-leading player development program in schools, and support to deliver pre-season fixtures in regional WA to help build a brand and get the community behind the club.

“Western Australians have shown extraordinary support for NRL in WA in recent years. I encourage fans to keep showing their support for the league and make it impossible to ignore the momentum we’re seeing here in the west.”

While the WA bid is on the verge of imploding, the NRL’s push to include PNG into the competition looms increasingly likely.

Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy, PM Anthony Albanese, PNG PM James Marape, and Minister for Sport Anika Wells at the NRL grand final.

PNG Prime Minister James Marape was at Sunday’s grand final where he met with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, opposition leader Peter Dutton and the NRL’s top brass.

Marape said PNG were closing in on entry into the NRL.

“I am happy with the progress so far,” Marape said. “I commend the strong support we are receiving from the Australian Cabinet, as well as the majority of parliament, including members of the opposition. We also acknowledge the substantial financial and administrative backing of the Australian Government.

“There are a few more regulatory processes to complete before an official announcement can be made, but the future is looking bright for our national team.

“This aspiration is not just about sports — it’s about fostering national development and unity. “With over 10 million passionate supporters, a PNG NRL team would further strengthen the bonds between our two nations.”