‘WA Premier Reinforces Criticism of V’landys: ‘NRL Needs Us More Than Ever”

The Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook, has stated that for the NRL to genuinely reflect a national competition, it needs the involvement of his state, and this should be a key factor in any negotiations with the WA government.

Discussions between the two parties are expected to progress following the state election, yet it appears that they remain quite a distance apart from reaching an agreement.

During last week’s NRL annual general meeting, ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys indicated to club representatives that a deal was not assured.

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In an interview with The Australian Financial Review, Cook emphasised that the NRL’s need for Western Australia outweighs the state’s desire for an NRL team.

“Without a doubt, if the deal isn’t beneficial, we’ll simply pursue other opportunities,” he remarked.

“What [ARLC chairman Peter V’landys] must realise is that the NRL in WA is not a dominant sporting code. While it would be beneficial for economic activity and a positive addition to WA’s representation in a national competition, it must be viable.”

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“The NRL’s proposition for WA must offer clear value to the WA taxpayer.”

Government officials, who requested anonymity, expressed doubts about reaching a deal with the NRL.

“The notion of funding the NRL is completely off the table at this stage,” one official commented.

The NRL is aiming for an expansion to 20 teams by 2030, alongside securing a landmark broadcasting agreement to support the sport.

The unique time zone of a potential Perth team would provide scheduling advantages and increase the number of games available in the league.

Moreover, it could attract sponsorship revenue from the booming mining sector present in the area.

The NRL’s initial request included a $20 million licensing fee for a private consortium to run the franchise, which was initially backed by Cash Converters chairman Peter Cumins.

However, the proposal was turned down in early October, largely due to concerns that the consortium would not fulfil the $20 million licence fee required to join the competition.

Even when the consortium did agree to meet the $20 million requirement, the NRL chose to pursue an alternative path by lobbying the WA government to invest taxpayer money into the bid.

“WA is home to some remarkable CEOs and chairpersons, all confident in their abilities, and the NRL represents a significant opportunity that we are eager to investigate,” Cook stated.