Setanta had paid around £150 million in a four-year joint contract with ITV to show FA Cup and England games but went into administration in June.
Under the deal ESPN will broadcast up to 25 FA Cup games live, including one semi-final exclusively from 2010. The final will be shown simultaneously on both ESPN and ITV. The deal also includes rights to show all England Under-21 home fixtures and the forthcoming women's Super League, which launches in 2011.
"The FA Cup is one of the great UK sports properties and will add to an already strong line-up of top-quality football on ESPN," said Jeroen Oerlemans, Vice President and Channel Manager TV, ESPN Europe, Middle East & Africa. "We are delighted to have been awarded these exclusive domestic rights, which are another significant step in growing our presence in the UK."
ESPN is believed to have offered 60 per cent more than public-service broadcaster the BBC for the rights.
