With the bid to relocate the North Sydney Bears to Perth on life-support, the Western Australia Premier has taken a swipe at Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’Landys for the way he handled negotiations.
In an exclusive sit-down with 9News Perth, Roger Cook said WA remained open to a deal if the NRL treated the state with “more respect”, while also declaring he believes the game’s competitors may have tried to torpedo the deal.
Peter V’landys.Credit: Getty
The NRL is on the brink of walking away from talks after a $55 million offer for a centre of excellence and grassroots support, plus additional match-day packages, fell short of expectations.
Cook said he was disappointed that negotiations had been conducted through east coast media.
“The NRL have to get serious and have to treat us with more respect and not like a cash cow,” Cook said.
“Western Australia is a unique part of Australia and perhaps he [Peter V’Landys] just doesn’t particularly understand how WA works.
“We hear from the NRL through the eastern states media and that’s been a disappointing feature of the discussions we’ve had with them. We remain open to any formal response to our offer, but … the delta between WA’s position and the NRL’s position is very large and will be difficult to bridge.”
A rugby league team in Perth would have to compete for eyeballs in an AFL-focused state. When asked if he believes the Kerry Stokes-owned 7West – which holds rights to the AFL – had tried to torpedo the Bears’ bid, Cook said he believed it was possible.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if there’s conversations going on in the background. We know that the broadcast rights with sport is a very big business,” Cook said.
“Western Australia is the most populous timezone in the world, so your live broadcast opportunities expand. By coming to WA, the NRL will significantly grow the number of people following the sport.”
While the WA government believes the NRL should never have severed ties with the Peter Cummins-led Western Bears consortium which initially led discussions, the Premier believes he offers the best chance for a franchise in the west.
Keaon Koloamatangi.Credit: Brook Mitchell
“There’s no point in the state’s history, or perhaps ever, where you’ll have a premier that supports rugby league the way I do,” Cook said.
“The opportunity for the NRL to secure a WA franchise is one that’s before them and they should take it.”
Ahead of his team’s clash with the Cowboys as part of a double-header at Perth’s Optus Stadium, South Sydney Rabbitohs star Keaon Koloamatangi backed the bid for the North Sydney Bears to relocate west.
“We’re the National Rugby League for a reason. I feel like, if we’re to grow the game, it would only benefit us if we have a team in Perth,” he said.
The NRL was contacted for comment.
