They are standing on principle. They want to reinforce that recordings of NFL games have no commercial value under any circumstance, and them forking over cash

They are standing on principle. They want to reinforce that recordings of NFL games have no commercial value under any circumstance, and them forking over cash for a copy of a recording would make a mockery of that argument. If they had footage, they would use it, since they are the only authorized users. This guy's tape would then be completely worthless.