The rise of sports piracy, particularly for pay-per-view (PPV) events, has become a significant issue for major sports organizations and event organizers.

Illegal streaming has skyrocketed, leaving rightsholders frustrated and seeking new ways to fight back. While some believe that reducing prices could curb piracy, others advocate for more aggressive legal action.

The conversation has gained momentum recently, with notable figures like Saudi Arabian advisor Turki Alalshikh, boxer Chris Algieri, and UFC CEO Dana White offering different perspectives on the best way forward.

The Problem of Sports Piracy

Piracy of live sports streaming has become a growing problem in recent years. Rightsholders have expressed concern over the loss of revenue and the effect this has on their ability to continue offering premium events.

They argue that the high cost of PPV events is one of the primary drivers pushing fans to seek illegal streams.

Despite law enforcement efforts, such as the U.S. government’s recent seizure of several domain names linked to the popular sports streaming site Streameast, these efforts have done little to prevent piracy.

Streameast quickly resurfaced with new domains, demonstrating how difficult it is to completely shut down illegal streaming services.

Streameast’s operators have stated that they won’t stop until sports streaming becomes more affordable to the public, suggesting that high prices are pushing fans toward these alternative, illegal platforms.

Is Lowering PPV Prices the Best Solution?

One idea gaining traction is to reduce PPV prices to make them more accessible to a wider audience. Turki Alalshikh, a key figure in organizing major boxing events in Saudi Arabia, believes that lower prices could encourage more fans to purchase events legally instead of turning to piracy.

Speaking with TalkSport, Alalshikh noted that when fans see high PPV prices, they are more likely to seek out illegal streams. To combat this, he is working to reduce the cost of prime fighting events during the Riyadh Season to £20 in the UK and less than $20 globally.

According to Alalshikh, this approach could not only reduce piracy but also increase the fanbase.

“Fans want to watch their favorite fighters, but the high cost often drives them to illegal services,” Alalshikh explained. He believes that a fairer price will ultimately attract more paying viewers and benefit both the sport and its fans.

Here’s a Radical Proposal: Free PPV Events

While Alalshikh’s proposed price cuts would be a significant step forward, American boxer Chris Algieri suggests taking it a step further. Algieri believes that PPV events should be offered for free, at least temporarily, as a way to build a larger fanbase.

Speaking on Probox TV, Algieri argued that even a $20 price tag might still be a barrier for some fans. Instead, he suggested that making events free, at least for a while, could significantly reduce piracy and build loyalty among fans.

Algieri acknowledged that this wouldn’t be a sustainable long-term solution but sees it as a strategic move to grow the sport’s audience.

“I don’t know if it’s a way to fight piracy because $20 is still $20. If you’re going to steal it, free is better than $20,” Algieri said. He proposed that after the fanbase grows, organizers could gradually reintroduce charges for events.

Dana White’s Approach to Piracy

While price reductions and free events might seem like the answer for some, UFC CEO Dana White takes a much harder stance. Keep in mind that recent price hikes have led to more streaming piracy for the UFC.

White believes that the best way to combat piracy is through aggressive legal action. During a recent press conference, White discussed how the UFC has been prosecuting people for piracy in recent years.

He believes that this legal offensive is the most effective way to stop people from streaming events illegally. “That’s how you combat piracy. Start prosecuting people for stealing,” White said.

White’s position contrasts sharply with the more fan-friendly approaches suggested by Alalshikh and Algieri. For White, going after pirates through legal channels is the most viable solution to the ongoing problem, even if it doesn’t sit well with fans.

Final Thoughts

The debate over how to combat sports piracy remains unresolved. While figures like Turki Alalshikh and Chris Algieri advocate for making PPV events more affordable—or even free—as a way to win over fans and reduce illegal streaming, others like Dana White prefer a more punitive approach.

As piracy continues to rise, the sports industry is being forced to reconsider how it prices and protects its content. Whether through price reductions, free events, or legal action, it’s clear that something must be done to address the growing demand for illegal sports streams.