Brisbane Bombers expansion bid boss Craig Davison remains confident of getting a start in the NRL despite the ARL Commission seemingly pouring cold water on any increase in the number of teams.
One of the key elements to arise from the A$1.025 billion ($1.32 billion) broadcast deal announced this week was the apparent lack of interest from rights holders in having more games.
"The indication was that there was minimal value that we would see come through the broadcast deal as a result of introducing two new teams," the commission's interim chief executive, Shane Mattiske, said.
"The fact that there isn't additional value that will come through the broadcast deal for a ninth game is a factor in the consideration of expansion.
"However there are a number of other things that we would look to in forming a view."
That view will be part of the game's strategic plan, which the ARLC is now developing.
Davison was confident the need for an increased presence in Brisbane would form part of that plan, which would give broadcasters the possibility of having a game in the Queensland capital every weekend.
"I firmly believe Brisbane will get another team at some point in time, and I believe that ... will be sooner, rather than later," he said.
He said Nine Network boss David Gyngell had noted in announcing the record television rights deal that Brisbane was rugby league's "strongest market".
"He's clearly said previously that Brisbane needs another team," said Davison.
"I can't pre-empt what might or might not happen, but I certainly believe that when the strategic plan comes out it will give a much better indication of where (expansion) teams might go."
There had been speculation the ARLC would look to expand the competition as early as 2015.
It has previously said it would look closely at the issue once a new broadcast deal was settled.
Seven consortiums - the NSW Central Coast, Papua New Guinea, Perth, Central Queensland, Western Queensland Corridor (Ipswich), Wellington and the Bombers - have expressed interest in being part of any expansion.
-AAP