Its not but given this is Cook's pet project, and they've done it before for Force and Glory I wouldnt say its a stretch to say they would have come to the party. Much easier fort hem than forking out $20mill cash to give to other NRl clubs. Though that might still happen as well.
If the money isnt there then either A) factor that into the process, dont foster it on the bids after the event, or B) dont expand if you cant afford it and you dont think it will bring in the additional revenue to cover the cost. Taking a short term sugar hit if it doesnt stack up long term seems somewhat dumb doesn't it?
All I have to say is.Because it's become boring as batsh*t TBH.
If Cummins & his team had been briefed prior to(July) that a licence fee would apply & they did nothing about it, thinking the NRL was bluffing ,they only have themselves to blame.
IMO to impose a licence fee suggests the bid had a number of flaws ,asset backing being one.This is not the RL of the 60s -80s run by passionate former rl players & officials, this is a business run by people with business acumen.
Of course the WA Govt is all for the expansion ,but in a WA state their taxpayers would not be pleased for big govt outlays to a new franchise.
If I were a bidder I would have decent financial backing which would have been able to ensure bank guarantees with various directors committing.
The thing that worries me ,why are there not more WA bidders or wealthy individuals prepared to underpin the bid.
The bid has to be water tight.