Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has asserted that for the NRL (National Rugby League) to truly become a national competition, it requires the involvement of Western Australia. This sentiment will be crucial in ongoing discussions between the NRL and the WA government, which are set to continue after the upcoming state election. However, the two parties appear to be significantly diverging in terms of reaching an agreement.
During the NRL’s recent annual general meeting, chairman Peter V’landys indicated that a deal was not assured. In an interview, Cook articulated that the NRL needs Western Australia more than the state needs a team in the competition. He expressed his willingness to walk away if a suitable deal cannot be reached, stating, “If the deal doesn’t stack up, we’ll move on to the next opportunity.”
Cook highlighted that while having an NRL team in WA would bolster economic activity and integrate the state into a national competition, any agreement must be financially viable for the WA taxpayers. Some government officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed doubts about the feasibility of finalising a deal with the NRL, suggesting that any discussions regarding financial contributions from the government towards the NRL were unlikely to proceed.
The NRL is aiming to expand to 20 teams by 2030, alongside securing a new lucrative broadcast deal to fund the sport. A Perth-based team would enhance scheduling flexibility due to time zone differences and potentially attract sponsorship from WA’s thriving mining industry.
Initially, the NRL proposed a $20 million licensing fee for a private consortium to manage the WA franchise, which was to be led by Cash Converters chairman Peter Cumins. However, this bid was rejected earlier in October, largely due to concerns regarding the consortium’s commitment to the licensing fee. Even after the consortium eventually offered the necessary funds, the NRL opted to pursue other strategies, including seeking taxpayer support from the WA government.
Cook underscored the potential unique opportunities that NRL could create in WA, citing the distinctive qualities of the state’s business leaders and their willingness to invest in such ventures. As discussions progress, the focus remains on ensuring that any proposed deal serves the interests of WA and its taxpayers.