Malibu Blocks Nonprofit Switch to LLC

The Malibu triathlon will remain a non-profit, despite the founder's requests.

Holly Bieler · July 28, 2026

The Malibu City Council refused Monday night to let the nonprofit behind the Zuma Beach Triathlon hand its city agreement to a private company, voting 4-0 with one abstention to deny the request.

The Zuma Foundation, the 501(c)(3) run by race founder Michael Epstein, had asked the city to assign its road-race agreement to an LLC, telling staff the change would allow more financial flexibility with its charity partners.

Mayor Bruce Silverstein wasn't buying it. He noted the foundation won the city's contested 2023 bidding process in part because it was local and charitable, and that[Epstein had previously sold the Malibu Triathlon](https://www.triathlete.com/culture/news/what-the-hell-is-happening-with-the-malibu-triathlon/) to a for-profit operator, a history that dogged the award.

"You can't sell a not-for-profit," Silverstein said.

Councilmember Doug Stewart raised a second objection: as a nonprofit, the foundation's finances are public. As an LLC, they wouldn't be.

The council's motion adds that if the foundation still wants the conversion, the city should reopen bidding for the triathlon entirely.