The Western Bears are one step away from becoming the 18th NRL team after the ARL commission agreed to a new proposal from the Western Australia government.

According to reports, a $50 million offer from WA looks set to seal the deal for rugby league to return to the West with the only remaining obstacle being support from all 17 existing clubs.

The latest bid was $15 million up from the $35 million initially proposed.

According to the SMH, if the deal is approved by all clubs, the Bears could be back in the league for the 2027 season after the ARLC met on Wednesday morning and "signed off on an increased offer from WA Premier Roger Cook."

"It's been on and off again for six months but finally they have found some common ground," Michael Chammas told the *Today Show. *

"There is an in principle agreement to bring the Bears in 2027.

"Now the NRL go to the 17 clubs today.

"They will have to get moving pretty quick because this is only 18 months away from the team playing their first game."

"I think they will wait until after the general election and Magic Round to announce this."

THIS WILL SUPER CHARGE NRL

Speaking on SEN WA, Head of NRL WA John Sackson said he was delighted with the news.

“I’ve woken up this morning and the text is pinging every second, this is the news fans and stakeholders have been waiting for for many years," he said.

“It appears our dream to have a franchise in Perth is a huge step closer to reality and more details will come out obviously but delighted with the news.

“For the Bears supporters I think they will be ecstatic. The first call I made this morning was to Billy Moore – Bears legend. He’s ecstatic about this.

“Over here what it means for the game? Of the four codes, we as rugby league, have been the only code without an elite pathway to compete in the national competition.

“Rugby league for years has existed here but now we can compete.

“This will have a huge impact on pathways and investment in the game.

"West Australians love their sport and love having teams to compete against the ‘enemies of the East’.

“It’s going to supercharge the growth of rugby league.”