The NRL is poised to abandon its plans for expansion into Western Australia, reportedly ceasing discussions with the Western Australian government. Previously, the NRL had turned down a proposal from a private consortium aimed at establishing a Perth-based team associated with the North Sydney Bears. However, recent reports indicate that the league has expressed a desire to pause these plans and reconsider them at a future date.
Negotiations had been stalled during the WA election cycle, which may have influenced this decision. The NRL’s proposed model involved securing $120 million in taxpayer funding over a ten-year period to set up the new team. Next week, the NRL board is expected to formally vote to dismiss the introduction of a 19th franchise before the next broadcast cycle that begins in 2028.
The upcoming board’s decision aligns with a scheduled double-header event at Perth’s Optus Stadium, suggesting a strategic pause rather than a complete withdrawal from the idea of expansion. Looking ahead, the NRL is anticipating a lucrative new broadcast deal, expected to yield record numbers, especially as they plan to introduce an additional game per round with the inclusion of a team from Papua New Guinea in 2028.