Premier Roger Cook has labelled the $320 million price tag for WA to get its own rugby league team as ‘fanciful’, warning demands by NRL boss Peter V’landys risked ‘killing’ the Western Bears deal.
thewest.com.au
WA election 2025: $320m price tag for Western Bears a ‘deal killer’
A $320 million price tag for WA to get its own rugby league team has been labelled ‘fanciful’ by Premier Roger Cook, who warned demands by NRL boss
Peter V’landys risked ‘killing’ the Western Bears deal.
However, he has not ruled ruled out a big cheque to secure a western team, saying: “It depends what the deal is and those discussions haven’t concluded.”
Mr Cook added that if the price tag was similar to a $320 million wish floated by Mr V’landys: “It’s a deal killer. The deal is off.”
In revelations in east coast media this week, the Premier reportedly had discussions with Mr V’Landys in the final days before caretaker mode started on February 5.
Liberal leader Libby Mettam declared on Thursday that she would not cut an expensive taxpayer-funded deal to secure a western team.
Ms Mettam seized on reports of secret talks, including demands for a $120m licence fee, grassroots investment and a $200m upgrade of HBF Park for a team facility to accuse the Premier of using taxpayers to “fund his hobby”.
”WA deserves a rugby team, but we should not be handing hundreds of millions of dollars to east coast businessmen to secure it,” she told The West Australian.
The Liberals would not rule out making some form of payment, but it is understood the stadium upgrades were deemed unnecessary, given rugby teams currently play games there, while no other team was required to pay licence fee.
Under a proposal to bring WA into the NRL, the North Sydney Bears would be relocated to Perth, and be rebadged as the “Western Bears”.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Mr V’landys said the talks with the State Government had been “very positive”.
“I have been talking to the WA premier and I am very comfortable and confident with where we are at,” he said.
“I appreciate there is an election on (in Western Australia), but I’m confident after the election we will come to an arrangement.”
Calling the side “Roger’s Rugby Team”, Ms Mettam called for the Premier to be transparent over what funding he would commit to secure the Western Bears.
“WA Labor cannot treat voters as mugs – we deserve to know what has been promised to bring Roger’s Rugby Team to WA.”
WA Election 2025: Labor MP Paul Lilburne resorts to name-calling opponent
On Friday, Mr Cook ruled out a “blank cheque” but
refused to be drawn on the proposed deal and whether voters deserved to know the details before the State election on March 8.
“We want to have a NRL team in WA, only WA can put the N in NRL, only WA can provide new eyeballs for the national competition,” he said.
“I like Peter V’landys, we’ve had great conversations, but if he thinks that Western Australians are going to be treated as second class NRL citizens, if he thinks we’re going to see a repeat of the Western Reds, he’s got another thought coming. The deal is off.
“The numbers I see today are ridiculous and the deal is off.”
Asked whether he should seek an election mandate for any proposed price, Mr Cook replied: “there’s no deal to put to the people of WA” yet.
The bolded is hilarious. Goes on to say this but the news coverage cut before he did. You can almost tell the numbers put out were correct or there abouts and legitimately leaked. Lol. No wonder he had to save face in front of a camera.
Meanwhile the parts of libs considering payment but not stadium. Redbears was right the whole time. Maybe he leaked the info?? Lol
