‘Bears will be there’: Peter V’landys’ promise following collapse of Western Bears’ expansion bid

ARLC boss Peter V’landys has delivered a message of hope to long-suffering North Sydney supporters following the dramatic collapse of the Western Bears’ NRL expansion bid.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has declared North Sydney will not be killed off over a $20 million stand-off that has left the Western Bears expansion bid on life support.

V’landys has contacted Bears chairman Daniel Dickson to assure him that the famous club is still part of their expansion plans despite the dramatic collapse of the Western Bears bid.

As revealed by this masthead, the ARL Commission has formally rejected the Western Australian government-backed bid - just weeks out from the expected unveiling of the Western Bears as the NRL’s 18th team.

The Bears had been in talks with a consortium over a joint venture that would have brought the club back to life in the big league for the first time since Norths were booted out of the NRL in 1999.

There were fears that return was in jeopardy when this masthead broke the news on Monday that plans to expand to WA were in disarray after the ARLC lost faith in a Perth consortium spearheading the bid.

But V’landys insists the Bears are not dead, with NRL hierarchy to step-up urgent talks with the WA government to resuscitate an 18th team in Perth for 2027.

Peter V'landys. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The Bears will be there,” V’landys said.

“We are trying to do a deal with the WA government which includes the Bears.

“So the Bears are not affected by this.

“That is a fallacy that is going around that the Bears are dead.

“No they are not. It is far from it.

“I called Daniel Dickson and explained that to him - that if we do a deal directly with government, it will include the Bears.”

V’landys’ revelation will come as a relief to Bears powerbrokers and fans, who are sweating on the famous 116-year-old brand being resurrected as a top-flight franchise.

The Bears have a passionate supporter base in excess of 200,000 that has been starved of top-level rugby league for more than 25 years, but there are genuine hopes a return can come via Western Australia.

The Bears have been locked in sensitive talks with the WA bid team for at least six months and were part of the document that was submitted as part of the bid process.

However, that bid has been rejected after WA failed to include a licence fee as part of their proposal.

It is believed the licence fee for entry could have been as high as $20 million - $10 million per annum for two years - and that amount may have signalled alarm bells for the Perth consortium.

Should the Perth consortium refuse to revise its existing bid, the ARL Commission will shift strategy and look to broker an expansion deal directly with the WA government.

North Sydney legend Greg Florimo has been fighting for the bears’ return for years. Picture: Julian Andrews

Talks with the WA government have centred around a team being run by the NRL, who will own the 18th licence, with the Bears to remain on board as a key partner.

V’landys has great respect for the power and history of the Bears brand. He believes a WA entity with Bears branding can be as successful for the NRL as what the relocated Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans have been for the AFL.

“They can relax,” V’landys said of Bears fans.

“The Bears aren’t affected by this unless the deal with the (WA) government falls over.

“But the discussions with government are very positive.

“The Bears are in the same position. They are front and centre. There is no problem with the Bears’ situation.

“That is a misconception out in the marketplace.”

Bears chairman Dickson vowed to fight to keep their NRL expansion hopes alive.

“Nothing has changed for us,” he said.

“I don’t know the full story on why they have rejected the bid, but we will work with the NRL.

“Regardless of whatever decisions are made, our goal is to be part of the NRL’s expansion plans and we stay firm on that.”

It is understood a WA Bears team remains the NRL’s preferred candidate for entry in 2027, with Papua New Guinea to follow in 2028.

North Sydney director Billy Moore insists the Bears have the grassroots, infrastructure and supporter base to have an 18th team ready for NRL admission.

“We can definitely be operational by 2027. We can meet the NRL’s timeframes on that, no problem,” he said.

North Sydney Bears chairman Daniel Dickson with club director Billy Moore. Source: Supplied

“The Bears would be honoured to be involved with the NRL.

“My heart sank when I heard things weren’t going smoothly.

“Then to see the bid rejected, I had grave concerns.

“I am like the 200,000 Bears fans and all former and current players. We hope there is a pathway through this. The Bears re-entering the competition would be great for the game and we hope there is a pathway through this.

“A partnership with Western Australia makes sense. When you have a look at the strength of the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions, a marriage of old and new, I know this can and will work.

“We have to get over a few hurdles but I’m confident we can get to a situation where the Western Bears can prosper.

“With the Western Australian government involved, the Bears are still in a strong position.

“Whatever shape or form this new club takes, we will make it work. The Bears are not presenting a problem.

“We want a resolution and I am still confident we will find a way through.”

Originally published as ‘Bears will be there’: Peter V’landys’ promise following collapse of Western Bears’ expansion bid