The batch of rights - two sets of 23 live games on Saturday and Monday nights - are now being auctioned off, with BSkyB and ESPN thought likely bidders. However, under European rules, BSkyB is not allowed a monopoly on English Premier League live TV rights and so will only be allowed to bid for one of the two packages, with the Monday night package thought to be in its sights.
For now, under a separate deal, Setanta still retains its rights to air live 23 English Premier League games for the three seasons commencing the 2010/11 season.
Last Monday, the English Premier League announced it would auction off Setanta's rights to air 46 live games in the upcoming football season, should the troubled pay-TV sports broadcaster fail to meet "certain contractual requirements".
It is understood Setanta was closing on a deal - first unveiled just over one week ago - for fresh investment from a company fronted by Russian-American industrialist Len Blavatnik, backer of Freeview pay-TV service Top Up TV, to secure its immediate future.
Setanta has spent recent weeks trying to secure a funding deal to save it from administration, as it grapples with an estimated £100m funding black hole. Setanta has about 1.2 million UK direct subscribers, but needs 1.9 million to break even.
Setanta and the English Premier League declined to comment.
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