Perth Bears

[jim_57]

Apparently there is a hand shake deal in place already with Cook to upgrade the stadium..

Stadium upgrade likely to follow $65m WA NRL deal

WA taxpayers are likely not done footing the bill for a local NRL side, with a $65 million deal expected to be followed by a significant stadium upgrade.

thewest.com.au

NRL Perth Bears deal: Roger Cook’s handshake deal includes $65m now and potential stadium upgrade later​

WA taxpayers are likely not done footing the bill for a local NRL side, with a $65 million deal expected to be followed by a significant stadium upgrade.
Premier Roger Cook and his deputy Rita Saffioti have insisted an upgrade of HBF Park - the home ground of the Perth Bears - is not part of the deal announced on Thursday but rugby league bosses have already confirmed they will be pushing taxpayers for more money.
East Coast media have reported that could cost up to $200 million.
NRL chair Peter V’Landys said on Thursday was bullish on his chances of securing a stadium upgrade, saying: “We certainly want an upgrade to the stadium and I think that will happen.
“The Government’s got to pay for it, because it’s going to get the return on investment,” he added.

The Premier ruled out an upgrade to HBF Park as part of the talks - saying the NRL had noted the facilities were in fact better than many pitches on the east coast.
“There’s discussions being held but, you know, naturally the Government can’t commit, we have to prove ourselves.”
Independent modelling by ACIL Allen on behalf of the State Government has forecast a $28 million annual return for having a Perth NRL side.
After being questioned over how those figures were calculated, the Government released a statement that said the modelling was based on at least 545 people coming from interstate each game.
“Considered to have strong upside, given Bears’ membership of approximately 200,000,” the report said.
Mr Cook said the deal was not only great news for sports fans but also for the economy and WA jobs.
“The new club will compete in the NRL Premiership competition for the first time in 2027 and, as we’ve insisted right from the beginning, it will deliver a significant return for the WA taxpayers,” he said.

There was back-slapping and handshakes from Mr V’Landys and a smattering applause from a small crowd of fans when the Premier made the announcement at HBF Park on Thursday, 24 hours after he said a deal was “very close” but not yet sealed.
He denied that was misleading, only hours before the agreement was confirmed via a social media post.
“I can’t remember the time (the deal was signed), I had a commitment in Kwinana with some of your colleagues in the media and when I returned to the office I was very excited to see a signed copy of the agreement by Mr V’Landys,” Mr Cook said.
“I’ve recorded that video about three times, because as the conversations went on we wanted to make sure that we were ready to go.
“I was asked if I was having a press conference today with Peter V’Landys at 10:30am, I wasn’t. It’s actually at 11am. I’ve been providing you with as much information as possible.
“The other thing I committed to was providing complete transparency and we’ve provided you the details today, as well as the modelling. We want to make sure that people can be confident that this represents great value for money for WA taxpayers.”

“We want to make sure that people can be confident that this represents great value for money for WA taxpayers” said Roger Cook.
The Opposition continued to ask for the “full” financial model to be released and questioned when the deal was done.
“I note what he said over the last few days, I haven’t heard from the NRL in any official capacity, I literally haven’t heard anything,” Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said.
“That is not gold standard transparency, that is not transparency at all. It is misleading the Western Australian public.”
But he said the $65 million price tag looked “reasonable”.
“It’s for others to decide whether they think that money could have been better spent, for example on a primary school,” Mr Zempilas said.
“I think it looks like a reasonable deal for WA and gets us into another national competition. It’s not that component that I’m questioning.
“What I’m questioning is, why did the Premier record an Instagram video last week announcing this deal and then days after that say don’t know abou tthe deal, haven’t finalised the deal.”
Mr V’Landys called the Government’s predicted $28 million annual return “conservative”, with the League’s modelling based on 1670 interstate visitors per game and predicting a $52.2 million annual injection into WA.
He has called the State a potential “gold mine” for the code.

Treasurer and Minister for Sport and Recreation Rita Saffioti says there was no commitment to a stadium upgrade as part of the Bears deal.
He rejected claims he leaked details of the drawn-out negotiations to Sydney media, including inflated price tags of more than $300 million.
“We never leaked a single word and I know, because they were the wrong figures to start with,” he said.
“I felt sorry for the Premier because he had to go to an election … all that stuff about leaking and everything, that was complete and utter rubbish.

“The deal has been done. It’s a great deal for Western Australia” said Roger Cook.
WA will provide $60 million in direct assistance to the club over seven years, with $35 million set aside to promote grassroots rugby league.
Also included in the deal is $5.6 million match day support, including free public transport, and marketing through Tourism WA.
The remaining $25 million will go towards unspecified support for the club, but Mr Cook denied that breached his election promise that no taxpayer dollars would go directly to the NRL.
“No, this is about supporting rugby league in WA,” he said.
Treasurer and Minister for Sport and Recreation Rita Saffioti says there was no commitment to a stadium upgrade as part of the Bears deal.
“That ($200 million) figure isn’t something we would endorse,” she said.
“As part of this deal, there is no commitment to upgrade the stadium.”
The announcement ends months of negotiations, which hit a low point in April, when the Government’s first offer was rejected and Mr Cook accused the League of treating the State as a “cash cow.”
On Thursday, Mr V’Landys praised the Premier’s “wily character” but denied he’d been beaten by Mr Cook’s “cash cow” bluff.
“I never underestimate a good half back and he’s got a mean side step on him,” Mr V’Landys joked.
He wasn’t worried about the gamble of encroaching on AFL territory and scoffed at the question of whether he would ask the AFL for advice.
“I don’t see McDonalds checking with Kentucky Fried Chicken when opening a new store,” he said.

 

[jim_57]

Jesus the West are a bunch of whingey bitches.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I think the Govt figures of 545 interstate visitors per game seems reasonable given you will have Bears fans and the opponents fans ..

 

[Perth Red]

Jesus the West are a bunch of whingey bitches.

A dying paper, thankfully.

 

[Wb1234]

NRL Perth Bears deal: Roger Cook’s handshake deal includes $65m now and potential stadium upgrade later​

WA taxpayers are likely not done footing the bill for a local NRL side, with a $65 million deal expected to be followed by a significant stadium upgrade.
Premier Roger Cook and his deputy Rita Saffioti have insisted an upgrade of HBF Park - the home ground of the Perth Bears - is not part of the deal announced on Thursday but rugby league bosses have already confirmed they will be pushing taxpayers for more money.
East Coast media have reported that could cost up to $200 million.
NRL chair Peter V’Landys said on Thursday was bullish on his chances of securing a stadium upgrade, saying: “We certainly want an upgrade to the stadium and I think that will happen.
“The Government’s got to pay for it, because it’s going to get the return on investment,” he added.

The Premier ruled out an upgrade to HBF Park as part of the talks - saying the NRL had noted the facilities were in fact better than many pitches on the east coast.
“There’s discussions being held but, you know, naturally the Government can’t commit, we have to prove ourselves.”
Independent modelling by ACIL Allen on behalf of the State Government has forecast a $28 million annual return for having a Perth NRL side.
After being questioned over how those figures were calculated, the Government released a statement that said the modelling was based on at least 545 people coming from interstate each game.
“Considered to have strong upside, given Bears’ membership of approximately 200,000,” the report said.
Mr Cook said the deal was not only great news for sports fans but also for the economy and WA jobs.
“The new club will compete in the NRL Premiership competition for the first time in 2027 and, as we’ve insisted right from the beginning, it will deliver a significant return for the WA taxpayers,” he said.
View attachment 101950
There was back-slapping and handshakes from Mr V’Landys and a smattering applause from a small crowd of fans when the Premier made the announcement at HBF Park on Thursday, 24 hours after he said a deal was “very close” but not yet sealed.
He denied that was misleading, only hours before the agreement was confirmed via a social media post.
“I can’t remember the time (the deal was signed), I had a commitment in Kwinana with some of your colleagues in the media and when I returned to the office I was very excited to see a signed copy of the agreement by Mr V’Landys,” Mr Cook said.
“I’ve recorded that video about three times, because as the conversations went on we wanted to make sure that we were ready to go.
“I was asked if I was having a press conference today with Peter V’Landys at 10:30am, I wasn’t. It’s actually at 11am. I’ve been providing you with as much information as possible.
“The other thing I committed to was providing complete transparency and we’ve provided you the details today, as well as the modelling. We want to make sure that people can be confident that this represents great value for money for WA taxpayers.”

“We want to make sure that people can be confident that this represents great value for money for WA taxpayers” said Roger Cook.
The Opposition continued to ask for the “full” financial model to be released and questioned when the deal was done.
“I note what he said over the last few days, I haven’t heard from the NRL in any official capacity, I literally haven’t heard anything,” Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said.
“That is not gold standard transparency, that is not transparency at all. It is misleading the Western Australian public.”
But he said the $65 million price tag looked “reasonable”.
“It’s for others to decide whether they think that money could have been better spent, for example on a primary school,” Mr Zempilas said.
“I think it looks like a reasonable deal for WA and gets us into another national competition. It’s not that component that I’m questioning.
“What I’m questioning is, why did the Premier record an Instagram video last week announcing this deal and then days after that say don’t know abou tthe deal, haven’t finalised the deal.”
Mr V’Landys called the Government’s predicted $28 million annual return “conservative”, with the League’s modelling based on 1670 interstate visitors per game and predicting a $52.2 million annual injection into WA.
He has called the State a potential “gold mine” for the code.

Treasurer and Minister for Sport and Recreation Rita Saffioti says there was no commitment to a stadium upgrade as part of the Bears deal.
He rejected claims he leaked details of the drawn-out negotiations to Sydney media, including inflated price tags of more than $300 million.
“We never leaked a single word and I know, because they were the wrong figures to start with,” he said.
“I felt sorry for the Premier because he had to go to an election … all that stuff about leaking and everything, that was complete and utter rubbish.

“The deal has been done. It’s a great deal for Western Australia” said Roger Cook.
WA will provide $60 million in direct assistance to the club over seven years, with $35 million set aside to promote grassroots rugby league.
Also included in the deal is $5.6 million match day support, including free public transport, and marketing through Tourism WA.
The remaining $25 million will go towards unspecified support for the club, but Mr Cook denied that breached his election promise that no taxpayer dollars would go directly to the NRL.
“No, this is about supporting rugby league in WA,” he said.
Treasurer and Minister for Sport and Recreation Rita Saffioti says there was no commitment to a stadium upgrade as part of the Bears deal.
“That ($200 million) figure isn’t something we would endorse,” she said.
“As part of this deal, there is no commitment to upgrade the stadium.”
The announcement ends months of negotiations, which hit a low point in April, when the Government’s first offer was rejected and Mr Cook accused the League of treating the State as a “cash cow.”
On Thursday, Mr V’Landys praised the Premier’s “wily character” but denied he’d been beaten by Mr Cook’s “cash cow” bluff.
“I never underestimate a good half back and he’s got a mean side step on him,” Mr V’Landys joked.
He wasn’t worried about the gamble of encroaching on AFL territory and scoffed at the question of whether he would ask the AFL for advice.
“I don’t see McDonalds checking with Kentucky Fried Chicken when opening a new store,” he said.

“After being questioned over how those figures were calculated, the Government released a statement that said the modelling was based on at least 545 people coming from interstate each game.”

It should be at least double that to be fair

 

[Bukowski]

I think the Govt figures of 545 interstate visitors per game seems reasonable given you will have Bears fans and the opponents fans ..

Definitely in the first few years it's conservative.

 

[taipan]

Rupert Was from Adelaide

He’s a business man and seven is sinking

The afl tv ratings have been off big time this year on seven

There are reports another network (not nine or Fox) has lodged expression of interest in bidding

Seven didn’t always have the afl rights

Thought it was Stokes(re AFL bias in WA) is a West Australian , always knew Murdoch was from Adelaide.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

What are you going to do about the drop in cricket pitch and the agreement with Cricket for that trial?




That could be huge especially if Melbourne remain as successful as they have been over the last 30 years and Perth start firing. It has the potential to the highest rating game of the year.

I guess nothing, so that rules NSO Oval out completely for me then

 

[Steel Saints]

I think the Govt figures of 545 interstate visitors per game seems reasonable given you will have Bears fans and the opponents fans ..

Perth will most likely get interstate visitors well into the thousands for the first game at Optus. It will be a massive event.

And annually, Optus should host a double header with the Bears as the away team. Double header would still be used to promote the game, and another reason to bring interstate visitors to Perth. Then the following week, Perth hosts a game at HBF.

So Bears fans from Sydney or elsewhere could go to WA on a one week leave to watch two Perth games and see the sights of the city and state.

I think Canterbury offered packages for their fans recently to go to Brisbane to attend the Broncos game and Magic Round the following week against the Titans.

 

[Bukowski]

Perth will most likely get interstate visitors well into the thousands for the first game at Optus. It will be a massive event.

And annually, Optus should host a double header with the Bears as the away team. Double header would still be used to promote the game, and another reason to bring interstate visitors to Perth. Then the following week, Perth hosts a game at HBF.

So Bears fans from Sydney or elsewhere could go to WA on a one week leave to watch two Perth games and see the sights of the city and state.

I think Canterbury offered packages for their fans recently to go to Brisbane to attend the Broncos game and Magic Round the following week against the Titans.

An away game in Perth to make up for the home game in Sydney! Nice idea.

 

[Steel Saints]

Another option is Origin/ Perth Bears package. In 2028, interstate visitors could come to Perth to watch Origin, and a few days later attend a Bears game.

Perth Bears and rugby league will enhance the economy of Perth and WA. The West newspaper fails to see the potential economic impact.

 

[Bukowski]

Another option is Origin/ Perth Bears package. In 2028, interstate visitors could come to Perth to watch Origin, and a few days later attend a Bears game.

Perth Bears and rugby league will enhance the economy of Perth and WA. The West newspaper fails to see the potential economic impact.

They'll be all over that. There's an NRL game here on the friday after the origin here.

 

[Steel Saints]

They'll be all over that. There's an NRL game here on the friday after the origin here.

Yeah you are right. Second SOO game is on June 18. Dolphins v Newcastle on June 21. It should be a regular arrangement whenever Origin comes to Perth. Have a Bears game a few days later.

I think already, the Storm hosts a home game at AAMI just a few days after Origin at the MCG.

 

[Centy Coast]

Adding to this do Bears plan on re-entering Jersey Flegg next year? @Red&BlackBear @Centy Coast

Aim has to be some Perth based junior sides eventually as well as North Sydney continuing their operations. If the Reds/Pirates could do Ron Massey & SG Ball last decade then you’d think they could manage Matts & Ball or Connell & Meninga teams with an NRL team coming. They’d probably get a better pick of WA juniors with an NRL side at the top of the pyramid now.

I’ve heard murmurs that they were going to have a Jersey Flegg side again in 2026, they’d be mad not to.

 

[Centy Coast]

A dying paper, thankfully.

I saw a few funny comments from WA rugby league fans saying to the tax paying AFL detractors “Thank you for funding our NRL team” lol.

 

[Centy Coast]

They'll be all over that. There's an NRL game here on the friday after the origin here.

Yeah the Dolphins v Knights game is on the Saturday at HBF Park, I’ll be over there and attending both games in my Bears gear.
I have my flights and game tickets all purchased, can’t wait.

 

[Bukowski]

Yeah the Dolphins v Knights game is on the Saturday at HBF Park, I’ll be over there and attending both games in my Bears gear.
I have my flights and game tickets all purchased, can’t wait.

You'll need something blue for the origin!!!
How quick could they rustle up some Perth Bears hats for the dolphins game? Surely a few thousand wouldn't be that difficult

 

[Perth Red]

You'll need something blue for the origin!!!
How quick could they rustle up some Perth Bears hats for the dolphins game? Surely a few thousand wouldn't be that difficult

No brand agreed yet so unlikely. Though we are planning a Perth bears presence!

 

[toomuchsoup]

2 kit set concepts. I can see how the S.L. design would rub a lot of people the wrong way, with Super League being the demise of both the Bears and the Reds. But it’s also a great looking design, and would kind of be picking up where the Reds left off with the S.L. Jersey being the last one they wore

And for this one I thought (however unlikely it would be to pull off) that leaning into yellow/gold by their choice of sponsors, they could appease both of the old fanbases by featuring some yellow for the Reds but also still technically being true to the Bears colourway

 

[Nuke]

View attachment 101997

'IF' the colours have to be this (ie: white, not gold), the first three of these jerseys I do like. The shorts, I like, but not the pointed chevrons going down the side. The logo I do not want for Perth Bears, but good job on it anyway. I keep saying this: this new club HAS to be treated, acknowledged as a brand new club. Not a continuation of North Sydney. They still exist in the NSW Cup and lower grades.

Hence, also, why later on, in Perth's future, heritage kits can be a Western Reds or a North Sydney Bears style kit ... but for the first few years, Perth Bears have no history in which to look back upon for a heritage kit.

But, I do like the first three jerseys here. They are unique enough to stand out, are a style that won't date, and are visually appealing enough to appeal to the average punter in WA to want one and show support, even if they only go to one or two games a year. The N.Sydney red and black hoops kit, to me, I find to be too bland and unexciting.