The Premier League announced on Monday night that ESPN not only outbid Sky to win both the two packages of live games for next season, 46 in all, but also the package of 23 matches per season for the 2010-13 period.
It is understood the deals will mean the top-flight clubs neither lose out nor gain financially - ESPN will cover the £159million Setanta were due to pay for 2010-13, minus the deposit already paid by the Irish broadcaster, plus the money outstanding on the 46 games for next season.
ESPN's success means that a heavyweight broadcaster with huge resources and long experience in sports rights is now a potential rival for Sky for Premier League rights in the long term.