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ESPN Europe boss Lynne Frank, who led the company’s entry into the UK market last year, is leaving the broadcaster for personal reasons.

Frank, ESPN’s senior vice-president and managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, secured the rights to 46 live Premier League games for the current season – and 23 live matches for the next three seasons – following the collapse of Setanta last summer.

It is thought that she plans to return to her native California for family reasons, with a successor due to be appointed by September. Frank will stay on to oversee the transition.

"The past five years with ESPN, and 17 years in London, have been a remarkable and rewarding time for me both personally and professionally,” she said. “ESPN is a tremendous company, with tremendous people, and I am extremely proud of the team, business and connection to fans that we are building.

"My focus and energy over the coming months will be to continue to strengthen each of those aspects."

Prior to the launch of its dedicated UK channel, Frank oversaw the launch of archive channel ESPN Classic, the acquisition of NASN and the expansion of its online arm including the purchase of Soccernet, Cricinfo and Scrum.com. Before joining ESPN, she worked for Turner Broadcasting Systems, building its portfolio of European channels.

Russell Wolff, executive vice-president and managing director of ESPN International, added: "Lynne has been a fantastic leader, colleague and friend. Our businesses throughout Europe, the UK, the Middle East and Africa have made dynamic progress under her leadership, and her legacy with ESPN will be the vibrant and growing position we have established.

"I will work closely with her to ensure a smooth transition as we identify her successor. The years ahead are filled with enormous potential and opportunity, and ESPN will build upon a fantastic foundation in the years ahead."

Since its launch in the UK, ESPN has also won the rights to live FA Cup football and live Guinness Premiership rugby.