abdos turn
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo is confident the league can still go to 20 teams, with Perth talks to resume in March and another bid team throwing their hat in the ring.
au.news.yahoo.com
NRL to resume Perth talks after March state election
Scott Bailey
Thu 13 February 2025 at 9:37 am AEST·3-min read
The NRL will reignite expansion talks with the Western Australian government following next month's state election, with Andrew Abdo still confident the league can go to 20 teams.
Initially expected to be announced last year, the Western Bears bid has been in a state of flux since the NRL knocked back the business consortium behind the initial proposal.
In the time since, Papua New Guinea's entrance has been confirmed for 2028 with the NRL leaving the door ajar for another side to enter in 2027.
Talks with the WA government have also remained ongoing to salvage the Perth project, after the NRL rejected a $20 million licence fee from the consortium.
AAP has been told the talks have been largely productive, with a $120 million backing to join the NRL along with further stadium and grassroots support.
Any further discussions will wait until after the March 8 state election, with the Labor party expected to retain government given they hold 53 of the 59 seats.
"Once that election is finished we will re-engage with the government and hopefully put a business case to the (ARL) Commission which will provide certainty for the next couple of years," NRL CEO Abdo told AAP.
"Nothing has been finalised and we need to work on it.
"It won't be rushed, it would be something the Commission needs to be very, very clear on. We are doing that work.
"These decisions are really important because they fall decades into the future. We want to make sure we have all the analysis done."
Any Perth side will still form a marriage with North Sydney, carrying the Bears name and parts of the foundation club's heritage.
North Sydney Bears players celebrate a try in the 2024 NSW Cup final against Newtown. (HANDOUT/NEW SOUTH WALES RUGBY LEAGUE)
The NRL had appeared almost certain to be headed towards a 20-team competition with three new sides by 2032 when they called for bids last year.
But after initially indicating a master plan could be completed shortly after last October's grand final, the slow going since then has raised questions over its likelihood.
A move to 20 teams would allow the NRL to alter season length and structure, potentially adding conferences, playing less rounds and allowing for more representative football.
"The motivation, vision and opportunity has been consistent. Certainly there is positive momentum for that," Abdo said.
"But the actual decision making about what that looks like and what the financial and football eco-system looks like, we are making good progress.
"We are moving closer towards the certainty our stakeholders are seeking. We are adding pieces to the puzzle as we go.
"It was never a fait-accompli. But I am optimistic because the game is growing and we have unbelievable athletes.
"And as we saw with the expansion of the Dolphins and the women's game, you create opportunities for more talent and players to come through our pathways."
The Dolphins run out in front of a full Suncorp Stadium against the Broncos. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
Abdo's comments come as a Mana Pasifika bid, based out of Eden Park in Auckland and representing the people of Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau became the latest to throw its hat into the ring as 20th team last week.
After PNG's inclusion, Abdo said the door was not shut on another side representing the Pacific.
"Nothing has been ruled out for team 19 or team 20," he said.
"We are the biggest sport in the Pacific and we want rugby league to be the language that binds us all together.
"The opportunity to have another team long term in New Zealand or the Pacific, we would be crazy not to look at that."
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