The Western Bears, facing a major setback in their bid to become the NRL’s 18th team, have revamped their strategy and are now committing to paying a license fee in an effort to bring the North Sydney Bears back to life in Perth. This change comes after NRL CEO Andrew Abdo contacted bid leader Peter Cumins earlier this week to reject the initial proposal, which omitted a license fee. The decision came as a shock, just days before the October 10 announcement, when the Bears were expected to be confirmed as the league’s newest team.
Initially, the Bears’ consortium chose not to include the fee in their bid, citing the estimated $26 million in start-up costs and the additional $10 to $20 million value they believed a West Australian team would generate for the NRL. Cumins referenced the Dolphins’ entry into the league in 2023, when they were not required to pay a license fee due to their financial strength, as a comparison.
However, with the NRL standing firm on the issue, the Bears have reversed course. Cumins revealed that the team is now focused on renegotiating terms with the league, hoping to find a compromise that would allow them to enter by 2027 as planned. Cumins, who previously led the Western Reds’ entry into the Australian Rugby League in 1995, is keen to avoid the same financial pitfalls that hampered that club’s growth, particularly the high costs associated with travel between Perth and the East Coast.
In addition to agreeing to the license fee, Cumins stressed the importance of setting a better long-term plan for the Bears’ future. This includes ensuring the financial stability of the club and building a sustainable structure that can thrive in the NRL, rather than repeating past mistakes.
Should the Bears’ consortium fail to reach a deal, the Australian Rugby League Commission may open negotiations with the Western Australian government. However, Cumins expressed skepticism about this approach, as WA Premier Roger Cook has distanced his government from the bid. Despite the obstacles, Cumins remains determined to see a team in Perth and is confident that the Bears will be part of that future.