North Sydney Bears' NRL hopes dashed as league pulls out of WA expansion
The NRL looks set to scrap its western expansion, reportedly pulling out of discussions with the Western Australian government.
Having rejected a bid from a private consortium last year, the NRL had been in negotiations with the WA government for a Perth-based team with a formal affiliation with the North Sydney Bears.
But according to The Sydney Morning Herald, the NRL has told the WA government it wants to park the plans and revisit them at a later date.
READ MORE: Djokovic leads fight against 'unfair pay ratios'
READ MORE: Under pressure Aussie 'shaken up' after monster 300km/h crash
READ MORE: Fighter hurls table towards rival in chaotic press conference
The talks had been put on ice through the WA election cycle, which could have been a factor in the decision.
Chris Caruana of the North Sydney Bears in 1997. The Bears had hoped to enter the NRL in an affiliation with a Perth team. Getty
The NRL wanted $120 million of taxpayer money over 10 years to get the team established.
The board will next week vote to formally abandon the introduction of a 19th franchise in the next broadcast cycle, which begins in 2028.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
The timing of the vote coincides with a double-header at Perth's Optus Stadium next Saturday.
The next broadcast deal is expected to achieve record figure for the code, as it prepares to add an extra game per round with the addition of the Papua New Guinea team in 2028.
