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State of the Bears: Perth sets bold goal for first year
Scott Bailey, AAP •  February 24th, 2026 9:09 am
Three sold-out Origin ties at Optus Stadium suggest a market for regular NRL matches in Perth | Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
Perth Bears officials have declared they are on track to be a commercially successful NRL franchise, one year out from their first game.
In a move set to vindicate the NRL's decision to head west, Perth bosses are growing confident the club could enter next year with one of the league's most valuable jerseys.
And in a further boost for the NRL's 18th franchise, it can also be revealed the club has received around 25,000 expressions of interest for memberships for their maiden season.
The promise of west coast money and support had been one of the driving factors in Peter V'landys and Andrew Abdo's call to instate a Perth side as the NRL's 18th team.
That now appears on track to be vindicated.
Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga and CEO Anthony De Ceglie are building for the inaugural season | Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP
The Bears on Tuesday added a bottom back-of-jersey sponsor to their outfit, through a deal with Western Australian company Atlas Building, believed to be worth at least $750,000 per season.
That figure is understood to be the highest paid for that slot across the league.
It follows separate $2 million and $1.2 million sponsorships for the front of their jersey and the sleeve slot, both of which are among the highest in the NRL.
"The Perth Bears set itself the goal of being in the top five teams financially in the NRL," Bears CEO Anthony de Ceglie told AAP.
"This latest partnership, alongside other record-breaking deals, puts the club on track to potentially be the most commercially successful in the NRL without playing a game yet.
"Thanks to the vision and drive of Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'Landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, rugby league is in a remarkable position.
"The Perth Bears are truly the most exciting story - and the best opportunity - in Australian sport."
Perth's arrival will restore the colours, logo and Bears moniker of North Sydney to NRL | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Next week will mark one year to the Bears' first game, with the club now a little over eight months away from beginning training at a temporary WACA base.
There is every chance of a boost to the 25,000 potential members in coming months, with an NRL double-header at Optus Stadium in April following last year's sold-out State of Origin there.
The NRL will also bank on the club being able to attract old North Sydney fans at away matches in NSW, with that a large part of the thinking behind bringing back the Bears moniker.
The biggest piece of the puzzle remains the Bears' inaugural roster, with 13 players now signed for the club's maiden season and 17 spots still open.
Liam Henry, Toby Sexton and Nick Meaney remain the biggest names on Mal Meninga's list, with versatility also a common theme.
But the club are still in the shop for big marquee signings, which has so far proven one of their biggest challenges.
What Josh Curran brings to Perth Bears | Sport Nation
