You'd think they'd need to be known before the NRL chose the next team(s), wouldn't you?
Surely it would only enhance a Perth, or any teams, bid to have the backers in full view.
Anyway, I haven't seen the NRL formally ask for bids from any teams in expansion as of yet.
They are known to the NRL.
Not really, its probably a similar or same group that got badly burnt in 2012 when they went full on media with the Reds/Pirates bid expecting to be in 2015, which was all the indications they got from NRL. It was incredibly frustrating, and embarrasing, for them when Grant pulled the rug out. Decisions on expansion wont be made based on number of media articles.
and its unlikely they will. it wont be an open tender. They will, in all likelihood, pick their expansion area and the consortium they want to go with based on whats been presented to them by the interested parties.