'NRL needs WA more': Western Australia premier doubles down on V'landys criticism

Western Australia premier Roger Cook says the NRL needs his state to make the code a true national competition and that should underpin any negotiations with the WA government.

Negotiations between both parties are expected to continue after the state election but it's clear they're still far apart on an agreement.

At the NRL's annual general meeting of shareholders last week, V'landys told the clubs a deal was not guaranteed.

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Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, Cook said the NRL needed his state more than WA needed an NRL team.

"There's no doubt about that, if the deal doesn't stack up, we'll move on to the next opportunity," he said.

"What [ARLC chairman Peter V'landys] has to understand is that NRL in WA is not a major sporting code, and it will be great for economic activity, it'll be great for WA to be part of another national comp … but it has to stack up.

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"WA NRL has to be worthwhile for the WA taxpayer."

Officials within the government told the publication, on condition of anonymity, they were sceptical about a deal with the NRL.

"Any idea of money going to the NRL is well and truly dead at this point," the person said.

The NRL is pushing for expansion to 20 teams by 2030 and secure a record broadcast deal to fund the sport.

The time difference afforded by a Perth team would bring scheduling flexibility and more games to the competition.

It would also generate sponsorship money from mining industry, which thrives in the region.

The NRL initially asked for a $20 million licensing fee for a private consortium to head the franchise, which was initially led by Cash Coverters chairman Peter Cumins.

But the bid was rejected in early October primarily over concerns the consortium would not pay the NRL a $20 million licence fee to join the competition.

Even when the consortium offered up the $20 million needed, the NRL opted to go in another direction by lobbying the WA government to put taxpayer money into the bid.

"In WA we have some pretty unique CEOs and chairmen, all of them back to themselves, and the NRL represents an opportunity as well, so we're keen to explore it," Cook said.