Run Away: Zappos.com Drops Las Vegas Marathon Title Sponsorship

Zappos.com last week notified Las Vegas Marathon owner Devine Racing of its "intentions to step down as the title sponsor" of the race due to Devine's "struggles to pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills," according to Patrick Everson of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Zappos.com Senior Buyer Chris Peake said the company Friday sent a letter to Devine to end the relationship after last August signing a two-year deal with an option for a third year valued at $1M. Peake: "We did that solely for the reason that we were not happy with the way they're running things financially." Peake added that the company decided to "end the relationship early because of negative publicity surrounding Devine Racing's inability to pay its vendors in a timely fashion, if at all." Everson notes Devine "still owes money from its December 2007 race to a number of local businesses, as well as charitable organizations and even" the race's men's overall winner. Devine also owes money to "some companies that provided goods and services for the 2006 race." Devine has said that it "intends to pay all Las Vegas Marathon money owed by June 15." Peake: "I don't think that Zappos.com really wants to be involved in being behind Devine's financial situation." Everson notes it is undetermined how the loss of the sponsorship would affect the upcoming December 7 race (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/3).