BREAKING NEWS: Payne Haas Set to Join Perth Bears in Record $5.6 Million Deal!
The rugby league world has been rocked to its core after reports emerged that Brisbane Broncos superstar Payne Haas is set to sign a record-breaking $5.6 million deal with the Perth Bears, marking one of the most sensational player moves in modern NRL history. The powerhouse prop, widely regarded as the most dominant forward in the game, is reportedly ready to spearhead the Bears’ long-awaited return to the NRL — a move that could reshape the entire competition.
According to multiple sources close to negotiations, Haas has verbally agreed to a four-year deal that will see him become the highest-paid forward in NRL history, with the new Perth franchise pulling off what many are calling the biggest recruitment coup of the decade. The deal, worth $1.4 million per season, would eclipse the contracts of several star playmakers and mark a major statement of intent from the Bears as they prepare to officially re-enter the league in 2026.
For Haas, the decision reportedly came after months of speculation about his future with the Broncos. Despite Brisbane’s efforts to retain him, including a mega extension offer and captaincy talks, insiders claim the 24-year-old was swayed by the vision presented by the Perth ownership group — a bold plan centered on building a legacy team with Haas as its cornerstone.
“This isn’t just about money,” one insider told The Daily Telegraph. “Payne wants to be part of history. The Bears project offers him that — a chance to build something from the ground up and become the face of a new era.”
The Perth Bears, a rebranded revival of the former North Sydney Bears, have been pushing for NRL inclusion for years. Their return to the national stage has been met with massive anticipation, and landing a player of Haas’s stature immediately legitimizes their ambitions. Sources say the club is also targeting other marquee names to build a competitive roster capable of making an impact from day one.
Fans have erupted online, with social media exploding in disbelief and excitement. “This changes everything,” one supporter posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The Bears are officially back — and with Payne Haas leading them, they’re going to be unstoppable.”
Broncos fans, however, have reacted with heartbreak and anger. Haas, a cornerstone of Brisbane’s forward pack since his debut in 2018, has been the emotional and physical engine of the club, winning multiple Paul Morgan Medals as the team’s best player. His departure will leave a massive hole in the Broncos’ pack and leadership group.
NRL commentators are calling it a “seismic shift” in the player market. “This is more than just a signing — it’s a power move,” said former player and Fox League analyst Cooper Cronk. “The Bears just sent a message to the rest of the competition: they’re not here to make up the numbers. They’re here to win.”
If finalized, Payne Haas’s move to Perth will go down as a historic turning point for rugby league — not only reviving a cherished brand but redefining the economics and ambition of expansion clubs.
The Perth Bears are back — and they’ve just signed the biggest en
forcer in the game.
