Perth's NRL expansion bid has reportedly been green-lit after negotiations stalled for months.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has "agreed in principle to a revised proposal" from the Western Australian government for a team in Perth.
WA Premier Roger Cook is believed to have tabled an increased offer to the ARLC on Wednesday.
This now gives the North Sydney Bears a path to return to first grade from 2027 – this time on the west coast of Australia.
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Cook earlier claimed the NRL was treating WA as a "cash cow", which derailed previous talks.
However, a fresh $50 million commitment has reportedly been approved.
Further meetings and final negotiations are still to come, though.
Should Perth's bid be fully approved and ratified, the Bears will return to the NRL for the first time following their removal in 1999.
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The NRL previously dismissed a private consortium bid for the Perth team, which was led by Cash Converters' Peter Cummins.
Instead, the league has opted to partner with the WA government.
The NRL is set to initially operate the team before transitioning ownership to members and elected directors.
The WA government, meanwhile, will co-fund community, pathways, and infrastructure projects under the proposed model.
Perth are now on track to join Papua New Guinea as an expansion side as the NRL seeks to build a 20-team competition.
"There's a bit of work left to get to 20 teams but that's the goal and PNG is the first one," ARLC chair Peter V'landys said in December.
"The West Australian one's next and we've got many options for the 20th team."