There seemed to be two different viewpoints here... 
For ESPN's stance, you'll increase the subscription fees too when
you know Singapore Pools is also accepting bets for the matches...
Also, there's lots of Pubs, coffee shops, clubs out there airing
these matches as a crowd-puller. These joints are making lots of
money too. 
Why should
you, as the service provider, but cannot get to have a share of the
BIG JUICY FLESH to savour upon... You'd
increase your charge too if you run ESPN
As for Starhub's viewpoint...This could jolly well just be a scam
from them to push all the blame to ESPN when they are sitting at
the back already counting their returns... Read from reports that say we have as
much as 400,000 subscribers to SVC, basic package starts at S$20,
including sports channel, that'll be a total cost of S$28. With
this amount of returns from sub. fees, did we really get very
updated movies and programs? 
We've been getting lots of repeats actually... So you
think StarHub is an innocent party here? but what can we do? drive
into J.B. every weekends to catch the matches 'live'? 
I still have a strong feeling that the deal will still go on, but
of cos not without asking more monthly sub fees from us.
Why? b'cos if they don't, there'll be lots
of businesses out there affected by this move. 
Imagine going to Chijmes and not getting 'live' telecast to cheer
upon...no more coffee-shop 'over-a-few beers' with friends...
In
conclusion, we'll only be the victims to these circumstances...
