NRL agrees $50m deal with Western Australian government to seal the return of the Bears

The Western Bears will make an instant impact on the rugby league landscape, but news of the expansion decision will not be uniformly celebrated at the existing clubs.

Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis and South Sydney supercoach Wayne Bennett have hailed the imminent return of Perth to the NRL after the ARL Commission informed their clubs on Thursday that they had broken bread with the West Australian government on an $85 million deal to revive the Bears.

After weeks of tense negotiations, which left plans to expand to Perth on life support, the ARL Commission met on Wednesday and voted to accept a revised offer from the WA government for the Western Bears to join the NRL.

The landmark news was shared with the NRL clubs on Thursday afternoon, as well as the terms of the deal and a promise that a 19-team competition will be locked in until at least 2032.

Bears legends are delighted about the developments.

After Perth and PNG enter the competition, expansion will be off the table for the foreseeable future, dashing the short-term hopes of a slew of consortiums from Brisbane, New Zealand and Fiji, who had hoped to win the 20th licence.

Under the terms of the final agreement over Perth, it is understood the WA government has committed to spend:

- $35 million on grassroots football over the next seven years;

- $25 million on content over the next five years; and

- nearly $6 million on helping with costs of the new side.

While the WA government will not pay a licence fee, a further $20 million will be committed to a Centre of Excellence with a promise that there will likely be an upgrade of their home ground - HBF Stadium.

This masthead understands that the ARL Commission will run the new Perth franchise for a minimum of five years before it becomes a member-based club.

WA Premier Roger Cook and the NRL have smoked the peace pipe. Picture: Jason Edwards/NewsWire

A spokesperson for the WA government confirmed a final position had been put to the ARL Commission, including a provision that no licence fee would be made by the new outfit.

“Over the past few weeks, the State has engaged in further negotiations with the Australian Rugby League Commission about establishing an NRL club in Western Australia,” the statement said.

“While we have taken a strong negotiating position, these discussions have been positive and respectful.

“As part of these negotiations, we put a revised and final position to the ARLC.

“Should approval be provided by the ARLC, the State will be transparent about the terms of any agreement reached.

“Should we not reach agreement, this will be a massive lost opportunity.”

The existing clubs are also set to reap further financial rewards for the addition of Perth.

As well as the $4 million they have been promised over the next four years for the introduction of a PNG side, it is believed the clubs have been told they will receive an extra payment of at least $1m per team for giving the green light to the Perth franchise.

There was a further commitment from the ARL Commission to do their best to ensure the clubs were given a significant uplift once the new broadcasting deal came into effect from 2028.

That helped appease the clubs, although it wasn’t all plain sailing. Once they had the WA government on board, the existing clubs shaped as the next stumbling block for the NRL.

The Bears are back. Art: Boo Bailey

While it is understood they will not stand in the way of a Bears’ revival, club bosses are expected to formally raise concerns with the NRL over events of the past few days.They were of the understanding that their advisory committee would be given an insight into the NRL’s plans before they went to the commission for the green light.

However, they were only informed the day after the commission rubber-stamped the deal with the WA government.

Politis, Bennett and North Sydney legend Billy Moore were among those to sing the praises of the ARL Commission after the Bears endured a turbulent few months where at times, expansion looked dead in the water.

“You have to keep growing otherwise you go backwards,” Politis said.

“We are becoming a national sport and we will all benefit out of it.The NRL will get more money, we get more money and the players get more money.

“It’s a win, win, win.”

Bennett added: “We’ll never have a more favourable climate in Western Australia,” Bennett said. “The premier over there is a great supporter of rugby league, full stop … I think it’s a great decision and [I’m] really pleased.”

The proposed Perth home ground. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

It is a historic moment for North Sydney, with the foundation brand which is set to return to the NRL after a 26-year hiatus following their exit from the premiership in 1999.

It is understood the clubs were informed a coach had already been identified, although his identity was not revealed. This masthead understands that coach is Arthur, who has been sounded out by WA government chiefs and is keen to return to the NRL after his stint in the English Super League.

There were fears the western expansion push was in danger of collapse a fortnight ago after ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys and WA premier Roger Cook struggled to find common ground on the NRL’s funding demands.

But V’landys was adamant the expansion bid was not dead and it is understood the WA government returned to the table with a beefed-up, palatable offer – clearing the Western Bears for NRL takeoff in 2027.

Four NRL clubs played in Perth recently. Picture: NRL Photos

North Sydney director Moore, who played 211 games for the club from 1989-99, promised the Western Bears would be an NRL force.

“This is a day for the true Bears believers,” said an elated Moore.

“My wife and I have just popped a bottle of champagne. This is a massive moment for the NRL _ the Bears have been in the wilderness for 26 years.

“I can’t believe it. I have tingles down my spine. To be honest, there were days when I wondered if we would ever be back, but to think the red and black will be back in the NRL in 2027, it’s a historic moment for rugby league.

“This is not a shotgun wedding. One hundred per cent we can make it work. I have one word for this franchise - juggernaut.

“I believe within 10 years of entering the NRL, we will be in the top five clubs across all metrics, from crowds, to ratings, to junior base, to corporate support and performance.

“This will work. This will be big. The Western Bears will be a juggernaut. There’s two histories but one future. There’s two cities but one team.

“I have no doubt this will be a success for the NRL.”