Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
The writer is playing to the local AFL gallery and what will get clicks and people reading it.
thewest.com.au
The article in the West is a little more softer than the headline.
NRL: WA inks $65.6 million deal with League to bring Perth Bears side west
Roger Cook has revealed taxpayers will spend $65 million to secure the Perth Bears, with a deal following prolonged negotiations with the Sydney-based NRL set to be announced on Thursday
As part of the deal, 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 and marketing through Tourism WA, as the State vies for east coast League fans travelling west to see their teams play in Perth.
But Treasury has watered down NRL claims of an annual economic benefit of $52 million, with conservative analysis of the League’s modelling by Acil Allen showed a WA club would bring in $28 million a year once competing.
Mr Cook described it as a “great day for sports fans”
“Because of our strong negotiating position, the new WA-based NRL side will be chaired by a Western Australian and controlled by members, rather than a private company,” he said.
“The Australian Rugby League Commission has accepted our position that the Club should not be charged a license fee and that every dollar in direct financial assistance provided by the WA Government be spent in WA.
“From the beginning, we’ve said any deal would have to represent value for WA taxpayers and that is what we have delivered, with Acil Allen modelling indicating a significant return on investment to our economy.
“A new WA NRL club will deliver jobs and new economic activity, including a boost in tourism and visitation as the WA brand is exposed to millions across Australia and overseas.”
More to come
WA Premier confirms taxpayers to spend $65m on NRL team
WA taxpayers will spend $65 million to secure an NRL side, Premier Roger Cook has revealed, but has sparked questions over the economic benefit to the State.
thewest.com.au
No not at all, see you there!
It ain’t about money. its agendas. We just dropped $100mill on a footbridge!
Shame that footbridge isn’t connected to hbf park
I think ch7 have the exclusive
NRL deal ‘very, very close’, Premier Roger Cook says as he rules out HBF Park upgrade as part of talks
Roger Cook has dismissed reports the Government has agreed to a $200 million redevelopment of HBF Park as part of a deal with the NRL for a WA side.
Amid feverish speculation about the status of negotiations, the Premier will join NRL bosses Peter V’Landys and Andrew Abdo to formally announce the Perth Bears at HBF Park tomorrow.
Reports from the east coast claim the deal is now worth $65 million in support for a grassroots league, and includes a $200 million redevelopment of HBF Park.
“This is about growing sport in Western Australia. It’s about growing the economy in Western Australia. It’s about growing the opportunity for people to follow a Western Australian team in the NRL,” he said.
“It does not involve significant conversations around infrastructure or around particular dollars going to the NRL.
“We always look to see what we need to do to make sure that our sports infrastructure is fit for purpose but that is not the subject of a conversation with the NRL.
“Obviously, they’ve looked at our facilities. They made the note that some of our facilities at HBF Park are actually better than a lot of the pitches that they play on the east coast.”
While refusing to confirm whether a deal had been agreed to — despite reports suggesting the Government and the League had done so — Mr Cook would only say the parties were “very close”.
“I can confirm that the conversations have have continued over the last 48 hours. I can confirm that those conversations have been very positive,” he said.
“Those conversations are very, very positive, and they’re very, very close.
“I cannot confirm the numbers, and when we are in a position to do so, we will make that completely transparent and available to the WA public.”
Asked about the role of Freshwater Strategy — the consultant and pollster who has faced questions over its role in the Liberal Party’s electoral rout over the weekend — Mr Cook said it informed the private-led, failed bid for a team.
“I’m not familiar with the detail of the document, but my understanding was it was used to inform the private bid to the NRL in the early stages of this conversation, and that took place in the second half of last year,” he said.
“My teams have been looking at it and they probably referred to that document to get some guidance.
“Obviously, we’ve done a range of work and analysis ourselves to understand the scope and and the opportunities associated with this agreement.”
NRL deal ‘close’, Cook says, but HBF upgrade not in talks
Roger Cook has dismissed reports the Government has agreed to a $200 million redevelopment of HBF Park as part of a deal with the NRL for a WA side.
search.ipaustralia.gov.au
