Two prominent illegal sports streaming websites, Methstreams and Crackstreams, abruptly ceased operations this week, displaying messages about "taking a break from live streaming" to their substantial user base.
The shutdown comes amid intensifying efforts by sports leagues and media companies to combat unauthorized broadcasting of live games. These piracy sites had built significant followings, with their associated Discord community boasting over 80,000 members.
The timing coincides with recent anti-piracy initiatives. The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment recently announced shutdowns of hundreds of streaming websites, primarily based in Vietnam, that had generated more than 800 million visits annually.
The economic impact of illegal streaming on the sports industry is substantial. A recent estimate suggests piracy costs the global sports industry approximately $28 billion yearly. During the 2024 Super Bowl alone, piracy tracking firm VFT reported that 17 million viewers accessed the game through illegal streams.
Major sports leagues face ongoing challenges in combating unauthorized broadcasts. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), created in 1998, struggles to address modern streaming issues effectively. The current takedown process can take hours or days - problematic for live sports content requiring immediate action.
Sports organizations, including the UFC, NBA, and NFL, have advocated for stricter regulations requiring faster responses from online service providers. The challenge becomes more complex with international streams, often requiring cooperation from internet service providers across borders.
Despite enforcement efforts, unlicensed video site traffic has grown 12% since 2019. These illegal platforms generate revenue through advertising, data collection, and sometimes subscription fees for private access.
While many users publicly praised the streaming services' operators, discussions quickly shifted to finding alternative unauthorized platforms. The owner's message hinted at a possible return, leaving uncertainty about the long-term impact of this shutdown on illegal sports streaming.