But, in the U.S., the two companies have been on altogether different footing. They have been collaborating to secure live sports rights: Fox has sub-licensed rights for English Premier League soccer games to the Setanta, and they teamed up to get U.S. rights to the European Champions League from ESPN (NYSE: DIS) last year. They also jointly hold rights to the FA Cup.

It is not clear what direction Setanta would take under the direction of Fox. We have reached out to representatives of both companies for comment, and will update as we hear more. Currently Setanta USA’s pay-TV channels are available via cable, IPTV and satellite. Online, Setanta offers an on-demand service, Setanta-i, while Fox Sports International in the U.S. distributes its content online on a site co-branded with MSN.

The U.S. pay TV business of Setanta is one of the divisions of the company that survived after the UK business collapsed last year with £200 million ($323 million) in debt, and missing payments to several sports groups for which it had full or partial broadcast rights, including the Premier League.

The U.S. division is owned by Setanta’s founders, Leonard Ryan and Michael O’Rourke, as well as Mark O’Meara, who has held various executive positions within the company. This group owns Setanta’s operations in Canada and Australia, too. These divisions were also rescued after the UK business failed and are not reported to be included in this transaction. Nor is the Irish operation of Setanta, which was also saved and is now majority-owned by Denis Desmond.

Not clear how much Fox could be paying for the assets, but Ryan, O’Rourke and O’Meara were understood to be looking to raise €15 million ($22 million) in funding for these international businesses late last year, according to the Irish Times. That article also notes allegations that Setanta USA has missed payments to Fox for some football rights, and that this might result in a nominal sum being paid for the assets.

Fox Sports International is part of the Fox Networks Group, one of the operating units of News Corp.‘s Fox Entertainment. Outside the U.S. FSI’s content is distributed by IMG Sports Media.