Western Bears: NRL announcement set to come as early as next week, forcing Labor’s hand on cost
Roger Cook could be forced to come clean with West Australians on the true cost and value of a local NRL side as early as next week, with a deal due to be announced after sign off by club bosses this weekend.
The West Australian understands NRL club chief executives will meet on Friday in Brisbane to formally agree to resurrect the North Sydney Bears and base the side in Perth.
Following the meeting — which will be held amid Magic Round in Queensland this weekend, where all clubs are due to play — an announcement is set to be made as early as next week in partnership with the State Government.
Such an event would force the Premier to disclose WA’s final offer and the economic modelling which underpinned the agreement, as he has vowed to release the details upon the acceptance of the deal.
“We’ve done our own analysis and, if the NRL responds positively to our proposal, we’ll provide all that information to you all,” he said on Monday.
“The moment we have an agreed proposal, if one comes about, we’ll be completely transparent about not only the details of that proposal, but with evidence and modelling.
The North Sydney Bears are expected to move west. No
“We make agreements and we form partnerships with companies, with entities, with organisations, which boost the WA economy and make Western Australia a great place to live. And we’ll be held accountable for that in the normal way.”
An announcement would end a brutal, near-year-long negotiation from Mr Cook, an avid rugby league fan, with the Sydney-based League, after regular updates as part of the discussions were leaked to east coast media.
During the election campaign, Mr Cook was blindsided by claims the League was demanding as much as $320 million from taxpayers, including renovations to HBF Park, forcing him to rule out any money going east as part a deal.
Talks collapsed late last month after the Premier accused the League of treating the State like a “cash cow.” Instead, the Government’s first public offer included $35 million for growing the support in WA, through schools and the Clontarf Foundation, and a centre for excellence for league in Malaga.
Premier Roger Cook won’t reveal economic benefit of Bears bid until after deal is signed
As recently as last week, further details emerged the Australian Rugby League Commission had signed off a revised $50 million bid from WA — which is understood to be more funding for growing the sport.
The announcement comes ahead of the second State of Origin match set to be played at Optus Stadium in June and a regular season match between the Wayne Bennett-coached Dolphins and the Newcastle Knights.
Asked on Tuesday if plans were underway to hold an announcement next week, a State Government spokeswoman said: “If any agreement is reached, the State Government will be transparent about the details, as has been repeatedly stated,” she said.
“If any events are planned, you will of course be invited.”
The NRL was contacted for comment.
WA Government says no NRL deal yet but North Sydney Bears legend Billy Moore says it’s going ahead
Roger Cook could be forced to come clean with West Australians on the true cost and value of a local NRL side as early as next week, with a deal due to be announced after sign off by club bosses this weekend.
thewest.com.au
