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West Australian Rugby League reveal name and logo for proposed Perth NRL team - the West Coast Pirates
WA Rugby League chief executive John Sackson and the logo. Source: PerthNow
PERTH'S new NRL team will be called the West Coast Pirates, if a WA Rugby League bid to enter a team in an expanded competition is successful.
The WARL today launched its new look, with the colours of red, gold, black and white a salute to history as they were the original colours of the Western Reds, which fielded a team in the NRL and Super League from 1995 to 1997.
GALLERY: Looking back at the Western Reds
The Pirates' moniker will replace the old Reds' logo, which up until now had been the face of the bid.
The WARL has also ruled out any alliance with a rival bid formed by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage and Sydney rugby league identity Ben Elias.
It is understood WARL chief executive John Sackson and bid chairman Richard Campbell met recently with Sage and Elias but were unable to find common ground.
The WARL bid is understood to be central to the new Australian Rugby League Commissions expansion plan, which is linked to a new NRL TV rights deal, anticipated at in excess of $1 billion, which was expected to be locked in by early July.
The formation of the new commission and the departure of long-time NRL boss David Gallop means that deadline has been pushed back until early September.
The WARL launched the new colours and logo at Frasers State Reception Centre today.
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"We are excited with the brand and felt it time we opened it up to the community. Even though some people may question the deviation from the established Reds, our research has shown it will be a fantastic new identity for the game," Campbell said.
"The Reds will always be part of our heritage. This launch comes as the second phase of our bid process after launching our Vision 2020 two weeks ago. The next phase is the completion of the actual bid document which is well in hand."
Sackson described the logo as "fresh".
"The brand is exciting and new to Australian sport and we believe it has a marketing edge that will be enthusiastically embraced by both our stakeholders and those new to the game," he said.
"While the bid process and any moves on expansion are very dependent on the Australian Rugby League Commissions strategic plan, there is an expectation that we need to be prepared and ready.
"From our conversations with the ARLC we understand there is a willingness to develop the profile of rugby league in Western Australia and we expect that the television rights, being negotiated at the moment, will be announced in September with the strategic plan soon after.
"Equally important to this announcement is our message about presenting a whole of game approach to our bid which ensures the local game not only survives but thrives with the introduction of an NRL licence. Our statewide development of Rugby League through the grassroots club and school competitions will be tied to the success of the national team for the long term.
"There is a genuine excitement for the game in Western Australia and we are prepared to work with the ARLC, the state government and our stakeholders to see it happen. We honestly believe it not to be a case of if, but more when this will occur. Hopefully our preparedness will assist that process."
The WARL remains open to offers from interested parties and investors, just not Sage and Elias.
The Sage-Elias bid is based on the model of businessman Nathan Tinkler, who owns NRL side Newcastle Knights and A-League outfit Newcastle Jets and combines the two operations.
Sackson questioned reports Sage and Elias would pump $100 million of investors' money into their own bid.
"We acknowledge the existence of a rival bid," Sackson said.
"We respect their right to form a rival consortium, it's a competitive world and that's their right.
"That's (the $100 million) fantastic if that is true and accurate and real ... and some people embellish figures a hell of a lot.
"What I will say is spending money is one thing. There were hundreds of millions of dollars spent in and around Super League.
"It didn't necessarily do the right thing by the game nationally and certainly not in this state.
"There are still people in this state that point the finger at Super League for being responsible for the demise of the Reds and a declining rugby league code in this state.
"You can't talk about vast sums of money being spent, but if it's the wrong hands, and without the appropriate governance and financial management, and the right people, the right passionate people who are committed for the long term to the code of rugby league ... well good luck to them."
Sackson added Sage had not invested in WA rugby league "in any shape or form" and declined an offer to become a sponsor of the WARL.
"We know the game here and we care about it," he said.
"I question the other consortium about their genuine passion and their intentions and objectives as to why they want to get involved in rugby league in this state," Sackson said.
WARL bid director David Hobbs said he did not envisage any conflict with their AFL cousins over the use of the West Coast name and they dropped "Perth" because it did not represent the whole state.
"If you have Perth Pirates everybody looks at Perth as just being a suburb and you ostracise some of those who don't feel part of it," Hobbs said.
"We are trying to make this a bid for Western Australia and certainly the Pilbara and the North-West, the regional areas, are important for us."
Sackson was confident the change would not put them on a collision course with the Eagles.
"Using the AFL analogy for what it's worth, the AFL wasn't too concerned about the Gold Coast Suns, when there is a Gold Coast Titans," Sackson said.
"It seems to fit well and we don't have an issue and feel very comfortable with the West Coast Pirates."
The team would play its home games at nib Stadium with its bid supported by the WA Government through a $96 million upgrade of the venue.
Founding Western Reds sponsor and current WARL sponsor Cash Converters have jumped on board along with new sponsors McDonalds, Player (Racing & Wagering WA) and The Complete Group.
Sackson has said in the past a new franchise would cost about $18 million a season to run and would need 18 months to build a culture and playing list before it could play its first game.
The WARL has spent more than three years planning for the anticipated 2015 expansion, focusing on establishing a statewide grassroots connection and then building the model from the ground up.
The WARL has also fielded a side in the under-18 SG Ball national competition for three years with seven local players joining NRL clubs' Toyota Cup development teams.
Hobbs said a new NRL franchise in Perth would inject $28 to $32 million into the local economy and employ 60 people. He also said they had already raised $450,000 in media sponsorship.
The WARL is convinced there is huge support for the NRL in Perth, and recent games back up their argument.
A respectable 15,371 fans turned up to watch South Sydney hold off the Darren Lockyer-inspired Brisbane Broncos last June despite torrential rain.
A Brisbane victory over the Rabbitohs earlier this year attracted 15,599, while tickets are selling well for a grand final rematch between the Sea Eagles and Warriors at Patersons Stadium on July 28.
Other bid teams include Papua New Guinea, Central Queensland, Brisbane Bombers, Western Corridor, Central Coast, and a Wellington or Christchurch team, as well as the Sage and Elias model.
