A deal for Western Australian taxpayers to subsidise an NRL expansion franchise has largely been met with joy from the rugby league community. However, concerns have been raised over whether the competition can sustain 19 teams and exactly how much the state will pay for the entity dubbed the Perth Bears.
The Australian Rugby League Commission, led by chair Peter V’landys, struck an in-principle agreement with WA premier Roger Cook on Wednesday for the inclusion of the Bears in the NRL in 2027. The state government is to provide tens of millions of dollars covering infrastructure, pathways and a licence fee.
