Setanta Sports is to close its US operations after reaching agreement with Fox Soccer Channel to transfer many of its key programming rights.
Setanta will close its channel in the United States and the Caribbean on February 28, 2010 with Fox picking up events that include the English Premier League the following day.
Leonard Ryan, co-founder of Setanta Sports described the move as a significant milestone. “Having examined several options for our US business, we concluded that the best course of action for the Group is to exit the US market and to concentrate on other markets where we can be a more substantial player in sports television. This transaction enables us to achieve that objective and to explore new opportunities in other markets.”
Setanta’s business in Great Britain went into administration in June 2009. The subsequent refinancing of Setanta Ireland enabled the company to secure rights for coverage of the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.
The company also continues to operate in Canada and Australia.
