The Malibu drama continues – city re-opens bidding process for triathlon

As if there hadn’t already been enough drama around the Malibu Triathlon, things took another turn on May 28 at the last Malibu City Council Meeting – the board members decided to re-open the RFP (request for proposal) process after the previous winner of the bidding process, Michael Epstein’s Zuma Foundation, cancelled this year’s race over safety concerns.

Zuma Beach Triathlon (formerly the Malibu Triathlon) cancelled for 2024

Drama you ask? Here’s a synopsis of the crazy developments in this story:

Race founder Michael Epstein sold the Malibu Triathlon to Motiv sports, which then sold the event to Super League Triathlon (now known as Supertri). In early 2023 the city of Malibu created a “Road Race Ad Hoc Committee” to decide which organizations should get the two permits the city gives out for a running race and a triathlon every year. Suddenly Super League Triathlon was competing for the rights to put on a race it had purchased three years before. That committee decided to give the Zuma Foundation (run by Epstein) the triathlon permit. Then, in April, the Zuma Foundation decided to cancel the race because of safety concerns – mainly around construction along the PCH highway.

Michael Epstein wins back Malibu Triathlon permit over Super League Triathlon

OK, so what’s the big deal about a race permit? Well, the news that Epstein had managed to get back a race he had previously sold sent shock waves through the triathlon world.

“This decision sets a very dangerous precedent for the wider industry and all who want to promote health and wellness by investing in sporting events,” Supertri said in a statement after the decision was made. Adding to the fun was the news that the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) had invested US$300,000 in the Zuma Foundation bid.

At the council meeting we learned that the contract between the City of Malibu and the Zuma Foundation hadn’t been signed.

Speaking on behalf of Supertri, race director Brendan Lindner, who ran the Malibu Triathlon events after the sale, offered to run a “smaller event” in September.

Michael Epstein also spoke to the board, explaining the safety issues which prompted the cancellation.

Councillors decided that since the contract hadn’t been signed and the race had been cancelled this year, the Ad Hoc committee should open up an RFP for the race again. That means that both Supertri and the Zuma Foundation will need to re-bid on the event for 2025 and beyond.

“We note the decision of Malibu Council to return the status of a potential triathlon event in the City to RFP,” Supertri wrote in a statement. “Supertri is the legal owner of the Malibu Triathlon IP, proud supporters of the event and has retained strong relations with the local community. We eagerly await the contents of the RFP to allow us to fully consider our options.”

The Zuma Foundation also offered a statement:

“With the athletes and community safety being our biggest concern, due to the ongoing construction on Pacific Coast Highway and Trancas Bridge, as well as the flooded Zuma BeachTunnel, we made the prudent decision to postpone the upcoming Zuma Beach Triathlon. The City of Malibu is reopening bids for the event and The Zuma Foundation looks forward to once again being selected to host this world-class event in 2025.” –The Zuma Foundation Board of Directors