WA bid Chairman blindsided by Western Bears NRL rejection

WA NRL bid Chairman Peter Cumins ha told SEN he was completely blindsided by the NRL’s rejection of the Western Bears bid, leaving the team "on life support."

Cumins was confident the Bears were set to join the NRL in 2027 so has been left shocked by the NRL claiming their bid was a low-ball offer.

“We were having meetings…setting interviews with coaches and players so this really did come from left field, definitely a blindside,” Cumins told SEN 1170 Mornings.

Cumins explains that the main sticking point has been the surprise of a licence fee.

Cumins explained there were informal discussions suggesting the inclusion of a license fee in the Western Bear’s bid, however it was not officially advised from the NRL and hence the club did not include it.

This left Cumins shocked when the NRL rejected their bid, asking for a $15-$20 million licence fee, on top of a $30 million start up fee.

“To load us up with a very significant licence fee, we thought was completely unreasonable,” he added.

“No other club paid one, including the Dolphins, the most recent club, and in a better position to afford one.”

The Western Bears would be the first Western Australia team to join the NRL, which Cumins argues would provide a significant new commercial market to the sport, especially as it would tap into the AFL landscape.

As a new club to WA, the team would also need to financially accommodate for temporary training facilities, adding an additional $15 million to the $50 million expected from the NRL.

Despite strong desire to see the Western Bears in action, Cumins explains the economic difficulties in seeing this happen.

“The average NRL club makes just over $900,000 so if you’re putting up $30 or $50 million, it’s not a good investment.”

Cumins feels there was no opportunity given for negotiations so hopes to bring a new number to the table, hopeful the NRL can be adaptable.

“We will be going back to the NRL to make an offer.”

“From our point of view, we’re absolutely committed, and we’d hate to see the opportunity lost.”

Despite setbacks, Cumins believes there is still a glimmer of hope for the Western Bears and remains positive to see the team join the competition in 2027.