Sports is the only thing left of value in broadcasting. I can totally understand why they're gonna fight tooth and nail to protect it.

They still get paid when people watch pirated streams. All those billboards against the pitch and on every uniform are still getting their viewership.

It would be interesting if one of these advertisers one day actually sues the broadcasters for going after pirated streams, and diminishing the value of their ad placements as a result. I would think it is technically damages. One just has to quantify it a little.