Eventually someone will realize the livestreaming sites are the way to do this. That's why I see it's a question of when, not if. Piracy/content online usually works in cycles something like:
1. Users post things pirated (live sports streams) because they cant get it from the producers.
2. Producers sue the service that enables this.
3. Producers realize that they should actually help enable this in a legal manner instead of preventing it.
4. Producers partner with the services and offer the content for a price or ad supported. Piracy still continues, but at a slower pace and the content producers are getting paid in some form at least.
Baseball already does this but that's because they're the only sport to hang onto all their internet streaming rights.
Most sports have internet streaming tied to their broadcast deals which prevents them from being fully streamed.
Slight edit for those who don't know. There are Over The Air HD antennas. If most of your sports content is on one of the big networks (football, some basketball and football) or on a local over the air channel these work pretty well. I have one plugged into my HDTV/Monitor at work and was able to get HD football on it pretty damn well.
Justin.tv has been my go-to source for live sports for the last year. I've only watched a few matches total but the overall connection quality seems to have been on an upward trend since last years' BCS championship.
1. Users post things pirated (live sports streams) because they cant get it from the producers. 2. Producers sue the service that enables this. 3. Producers realize that they should actually help enable this in a legal manner instead of preventing it. 4. Producers partner with the services and offer the content for a price or ad supported. Piracy still continues, but at a slower pace and the content producers are getting paid in some form at least.