It might be true that people can follow more than 1 sport. I don't mind AFL but I much prefer League.
League has 8 games every week..
I never get to watch them all, so there's no chance I'm squeezing in a game of AFL.
That's the same for AFL fans which is 95% of west Australians. While they might appreciate League and might even attend some games if they got a brand new shiny teams but after the shine where's off the most they'll manage is checking the results.
It will hardly register a blip on ratings and crowds will dwindle. All at a very expensive cost to every other club in the NRL.
First of all that is a massive exaggeration. (95%?) Please point me to where you have figured out such a percentage.
Secondly, let’s say 5% of West Australians intently follow a Perth side. That’s more than enough to sustain a side. That’s surely achievable.
Lastly, any option for the next side, unless you go with a cowardly option and stick another Queensland or NSW side in is going to be a niche offering. You go to NZ for example and you’re up against union who have more money and support than league has in that country. It’s essentially the same thing.