After more than 70 years of history and to the disgust of local fans, the Morelia Monarchs professional soccer team is upping its roots and relocating to the Pacific coast resort of Mazatlan, Sinaloa.

Read a statement from the club this week: “Relocations have happened in different clubs and professional teams all over the world. They are a natural part of all sport. The move to Mazatlan, although difficult, brings viability over the long term to an organization committed to the sport.”

Reports indicate that the owners of the club, Grupo Salinas (also owners of broadcasters TV Azteca), wanted the Michoacan state government to come up with 400 million pesos to keep the “Monarcas” team in Morelia. The government has said it has other priorities.

Mazatlán has just inaugurated a new soccer stadium, built by the Sinaloan government at a cost of 652 million pesos.

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