Within a month, Setanta had gone into administration and were forced to relinquish their football rights. These were scooped up by the Disney-owned sports broadcaster ESPN, who rapidly established a brand new sports channel ESPN UK for the U.K. and Ireland and starting broadcasting Premier League football in August 2009. Champion was the natural choice as their lead play-by-play commentator, and moved across from ITV permanently. However, Champion was loaned back to ITV for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, working alongside his ESPN colleague Craig Burley. As well as being ESPN's lead Premier League commentator, Champion also commentates on the Europa League and the FA Cup. On 14 May 2011, he commentated alongside Chris Waddle on the FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Stoke City. In 2012, he was a commentator for ITV's coverage of Euro 2012 usually alongside Craig Burley. Champion then was loaned back to ESPN for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016 alongside former Arsenal player Stewart Robson. Champion now part-time commentates for U.S. men's soccer friendlies alongside Kasey Keller when #1 commentator Ian Darke is not available. Champion returned to ITV for the 2018 FIFA World Cup where he paired with Ally McCoist. Starting in 2019 MLS season, Champion was named "MLS on ESPN" lead play-by-play commentator alongside lead color commentator Taylor Twellman. In December 2019, Champion and his ITV color commentator Ally McCoist was one of the broadcast teams of commentators for Prime Video Sport's UK Premier League coverage.