The NRL is set to expand into Perth after the Australian Rugby League Commission agreed in principle to a revised proposal from the Western Australia government for an NRL team.
The ARLC have signed off on an increased offer from WA Premier Roger Cook, which has salvaged plans for the Perth Bears concept to enter the competition in 2027.
The in-principle agreement must also be signed off by the existing 17 clubs and the Rugby League Players' Association, with those meetings expected to be expedited to give the code extra bargaining power ahead of the next TV rights talks.
Negotiations between the NRL and WA government appeared to have hit a stonewall when Cook accused the league's governing body of treating his state like a "cash cow".
However the premier revealed earlier this month they were back at the table and described talks as "positive" for the 18th franchise to be located in Perth, and a formal affiliation with former first grade team the North Sydney Bears.
The state government reportedly upped its bid from $35 million to $50 million over five years to get the deal done.
As well as Perth, a Papua New Guinea team is set to enter in 2028, giving the NRL a 19-team competition with 20 sides the league's ambition.