How could it possibly be detrimental for Broadcom to have free software drivers?
This article is a poignant example that it is detrimental for them to continue to keep their drivers proprietary.
Because they are used as a front/vector for US intelligence agencies. Opening this firmware would not allow for the distribution of these implants.
An open ideology is one where everyone wins, even those who aren't on your team. The closed one is mostly to protect ones own team. I don't consider any of the reasons to be good reasons, personally. Commercially necessary, perhaps, as a conforming act as part of the "super-state", also perhaps.. but nevertheless, the best conclusion is that this situation is rotten enough to motivate someone to fix it.
Me personally .. I'd love to have the sources for every sub-processor/component in my system. It would be of immense value - commercially and otherwise - to me as an end-user. I hope I don't sit alone in this market...