So what your saying is the NRL should play no part in its growth, and leave it to others to stump up the cash? Running the NRL club is only a small part of an expansion project. If Perth enters the comp, I would like to think they will be able to cover the costs of their NRL side and administration with sponsorship, membership, crowds (16-18k to start would be nice
) and merchandise. Anything less is unnacceptable and simply not viable.
But in a place like
Perth, what about other stuff?
It's an entirely new market in enemy territory. It is in the NRLs best interests to ensure junior comps are growing, Rugby League is heavily marketed, etc.
I would be happy for the NRL to put a couple of million per year into Perth for a few years in an effort to grow the game. I would NOT be happy for the NRL to give expansion teams any sort of salary cap concessions or any other way of artificially boosting their on field success, like the AFL does with concessions and draft picks. Give them a bit of extra cash, maybe, but the should be solely responsible for attracting playing talent within the same rules as everyone else.