West Coast Pirates still hope dreams of NRL not sunk by TV deal

THE West Coast Pirates are confident the door is not shut on a WA team joining the National Rugby League despite this week's announcement expansion was not a key factor in the signing of a new a new $1.025 billion television deal for a 16-team competition.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant declared no value was placed on expansion during negotiations of the new five-year arrangement with Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

Despite campaigns by two WA franchises - the Pirates and a consortium led by Ben Elias and backed by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage - as well as three Queensland suitors, Grant and Nine boss David Gyngell said it was unlikely to become an 18-team league any time soon.

West Australian Rugby League chief executive John Sackson said while it wasn't what the Pirates wanted to hear it was important to note that Grant said the announcement "didn't negate" the prospect of expansion.

"Firstly I would like to congratulate the ARLC and all involved in negotiating such an outstanding result for rugby league," he said.

"The closure of this deal will now no doubt make way for other key decisions to be made which will seriously impact on the future development, growth and prosperity for the game in the face of aggressive competition from other major sports.

"Having said that, the West Coast Pirates and other contenders are still no wiser in regards to the prospect of expansion in coming years.

"We will anxiously await for the ARLC to articulate their strategic vision for the game and how WA will feature in that vision.

"We would expect to hear more hopefully in September and we remain confident that Perth presents as a very appealing, if not irresistible expansion option.

"With their new Whole of Game approach, we look forward to how the Commission's hard earned financial windfall will impact on not just the prospect of a WA NRL franchise, but importantly on the injection of greater resources and initiatives that will help fuel the ongoing development and growth of the code at a grassroots and community level in this state."

www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/w ... 6456042119

West Coast Pirates still hope dreams of NRL not sunk by TV deal

THE West Coast Pirates are confident the door is not shut on a WA team joining the National Rugby League despite this week's announcement expansion was not a key factor in the signing of a new a new $1.025 billion television deal for a 16-team competition.

ARL Commission chairman John Grant declared no value was placed on expansion during negotiations of the new five-year arrangement with Channel 9 and Fox Sports.

Despite campaigns by two WA franchises - the Pirates and a consortium led by Ben Elias and backed by Perth Glory owner Tony Sage - as well as three Queensland suitors, Grant and Nine boss David Gyngell said it was unlikely to become an 18-team league any time soon.

West Australian Rugby League chief executive John Sackson said while it wasn't what the Pirates wanted to hear it was important to note that Grant said the announcement "didn't negate" the prospect of expansion.

"Firstly I would like to congratulate the ARLC and all involved in negotiating such an outstanding result for rugby league," he said.

"The closure of this deal will now no doubt make way for other key decisions to be made which will seriously impact on the future development, growth and prosperity for the game in the face of aggressive competition from other major sports.

"Having said that, the West Coast Pirates and other contenders are still no wiser in regards to the prospect of expansion in coming years.

"We will anxiously await for the ARLC to articulate their strategic vision for the game and how WA will feature in that vision.

"We would expect to hear more hopefully in September and we remain confident that Perth presents as a very appealing, if not irresistible expansion option.

"With their new Whole of Game approach, we look forward to how the Commission's hard earned financial windfall will impact on not just the prospect of a WA NRL franchise, but importantly on the injection of greater resources and initiatives that will help fuel the ongoing development and growth of the code at a grassroots and community level in this state."

www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/w ... 6456042119