Singo has gone into battle mode for the Jets to partner Perth:
Millionaire adman John Singleton has sent a letter to the ARL Commission doubling down on
his heavyweight financial support for the return of the Jets on the eve of a crucial meeting where the doors of Rugby League Central are expected to be thrown open to expansion bids.
Singleton told News Corp at the weekend that he was prepared to do “whatever it takes” to see the Jets moniker to top-flight rugby league and he has reiterated his backing of the foundation club as a minority partner in a consortium which would see a team based in Perth.
The Perth consortium, which has the backing of the WA government and potential investor Peter Cumins – the man behind Cash Converters – is at the front of the queue to join the NRL as the 18th team, potentially in 2027.
WA government officials have been in Sydney in recent days, where they have held meetings with Singleton as the iconic ad man pitches for
the Jets to be part of a partnership with WA that would see the foundation club revived.
WA officials have also held talks with North Sydney Bears, the preferred partner for the NRL and their broadcast partners given their return would ignite a supporter base that has laid dormant since they were kicked out of the competition.
The WA government’s priority is to go alone but there has been a strong push from the corridors of power at Rugby League Central for the Bears to be brought back as the game eyes off expansion.
WA officials have also met former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur in recent days, having previously held talks with Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould as they look to pick as many brains as possible in the lead to their potential return.
Those meetings have been held as the ARL Commission prepares to meet in Melbourne only hours before the second State of Origin game to discuss their expansion plans and begin outlining a roadmap to 20 teams.
They are expected to emerge from that meeting to call for expressions of interest from consortiums interested in being part of expansion – it is understood as many as 11 parties are waiting in the wings.
The return of a team in Perth and the addition of a side in Port Moresby are considered formalities, although they will need to go through the process and meet the criteria that the NRL will finalise on Wednesday.
That criteria is expected to call for consortiums to show how their addition to the competition will strengthen pathways, grow the game and appeal to broadcasters.
A final decision is expected to be made in September in the lead-up to the grand final, once the NRL and the ARL Commission have had time to digest the bid proposals and consult with clubs, players and broadcasters.
The NRL is intent on bringing the clubs on the expansion journey – they are expected to receive a financial sweetener in return for diluting their share in the ARL Commission by adding as many as three teams over the next decade.
Bid teams will also need to show they have the financial muscle to back a successful team, which makes Singleton’s last-ditch plea potentially decisive given he has deep pockets and a longstanding desire to see the Jets revived in some form.
Money won’t be an issue for the PNG bid either given they will be armed with a $600 million commitment from the federal government, the bulk of which will be spent on pathways in the Pacific and ensuring a team based out of Port Moresby is able to flourish.
Singo doubles down on Jets lifeline as expansion race heats up
