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Sun, 18 Oct 2026

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 There's a crackdown on sports piracy - but is it already out of control?

The sports industry's lucrative business model is being undermined by dodgy TV sticks and illegal streaming links, writes Theo Leggett.
Some key points from the article include:
* The scale of piracy: Hundreds of thousands of illegal streams are taken down each year, but new ones appear in their place.
* The impact on revenue: Piracy is taking up a larger share of revenues that broadcasters and rights holders would anticipate generating through subscription models.
* The consequences for smaller clubs: Angers SCO, a French club, lost €30m over two seasons due to piracy, forcing it to sell its striker Estéban Lepaul.
* The potential long-term impact: If left unchecked, piracy could lead to falling revenues over time, hitting the sports that have benefited most from TV money. The article also explores possible solutions, including: 1. Changing attitudes among consumers through education and awareness campaigns. 2. Increasing penalties for viewers who watch pirated content. 3. Improving detection and takedown of illegal streams. However, the article notes that a major clampdown on piracy could present a formidable challenge and generate resentment among viewers.