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“Given our location on the Indian Ocean rim and in the same time zone as 60 per cent of the world’s population, the strategic value of a Western Australian side should be self-evident to the NRL.
“Unfortunately, like some people from the east, the NRL only appears to see WA as a potential cash cow. I love rugby league, but as I said during the election, I will always do what’s right for WA.”
WA Premier Roger Cook has fired a shot at the NRL.Credit: Trevor Collens
Earlier this week, Cook intimated that he wanted the Albanese government to chip in for a stadium in its bid to establish an NRL team. The federal government has already committed $600 million over a decade to fund a PNG team in the NRL from 2028, as part of soft diplomacy in the Pacific to combat the rise of China in the region.
However, further federal funding appears to be a moot point after the offer the state put to the NRL fell short of the mark.
It is the latest setback in head office’s bid to give Perth its own team since the Western Reds became a casualty of the Super League war almost three decades ago. The NRL rejected a private consortium headed up by Cash Converters boss Peter Cummins after it opted not to offer a licence fee. Rugby League Central had been seeking a figure of about $20 million at the time.
That led to the NRL negotiating directly with the WA government, which was recently re-elected. League officials were seeking an investment of about $120 million over the course of a decade for Perth to join the competition.
Should the price tag have been met, the plan was for the NRL to run the team in its foundation years before handing control to the club’s members and elected directors.
The WA government was to assist with pathways and infrastructure projects, including an upgrade of Perth’s HBF Stadium from a 22,500-seat venue to 27,000 seats.
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However, the breakdown in talks comes just as the NRL hosts a double-header at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where Cronulla will take on Manly and the Rabbitohs clash with the Cowboys.
The decision to go into the next broadcast cycle, which begins in 2028, with just 18 teams would have huge implications for the game. Had Perth joined PNG, there would have been a mad scramble for playing talent, while existing clubs would have sought compensation in the expectation that the game would have generated more money.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
“Given our location on the Indian Ocean rim and in the same time zone as 60 per cent of the world’s population, the strategic value of a Western Australian side should be self-evident to the NRL.
“Unfortunately, like some people from the east, the NRL only appears to see WA as a potential cash cow. I love rugby league, but as I said during the election, I will always do what’s right for WA.”
WA Premier Roger Cook has fired a shot at the NRL.Credit: Trevor Collens
Earlier this week, Cook intimated that he wanted the Albanese government to chip in for a stadium in its bid to establish an NRL team. The federal government has already committed $600 million over a decade to fund a PNG team in the NRL from 2028, as part of soft diplomacy in the Pacific to combat the rise of China in the region.
However, further federal funding appears to be a moot point after the offer the state put to the NRL fell short of the mark.
It is the latest setback in head office’s bid to give Perth its own team since the Western Reds became a casualty of the Super League war almost three decades ago. The NRL rejected a private consortium headed up by Cash Converters boss Peter Cummins after it opted not to offer a licence fee. Rugby League Central had been seeking a figure of about $20 million at the time.
That led to the NRL negotiating directly with the WA government, which was recently re-elected. League officials were seeking an investment of about $120 million over the course of a decade for Perth to join the competition.
Should the price tag have been met, the plan was for the NRL to run the team in its foundation years before handing control to the club’s members and elected directors.
The WA government was to assist with pathways and infrastructure projects, including an upgrade of Perth’s HBF Stadium from a 22,500-seat venue to 27,000 seats.
Loading
However, the breakdown in talks comes just as the NRL hosts a double-header at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where Cronulla will take on Manly and the Rabbitohs clash with the Cowboys.
The decision to go into the next broadcast cycle, which begins in 2028, with just 18 teams would have huge implications for the game. Had Perth joined PNG, there would have been a mad scramble for playing talent, while existing clubs would have sought compensation in the expectation that the game would have generated more money.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.
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