Hollywood Foreign Press Association sues Penske Media over Golden Globes acquisition

Hollywood Foreign Press Association Penske Media Golden Globes antitrust lawsuit $150 million

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California accusing Penske Media Corporation, its chief Jay Penske, billionaire Todd Boehly and the Golden Globe Foundation of a fraudulent scheme to acquire the Golden Globe Awards. The complaint describes the 2023 purchase as a "sham process tainted by fraud," alleges violations of federal and California antitrust and consumer‑protection statutes, and says HFPA members were excluded from award‑related activities after the takeover.

The HFPA seeks rescission of the acquisition agreements, injunctive relief to unwind the deal and at least US$150 million in damages. Current owners of the Globes responded, calling the suit "absurd and irrational" and insisting the transaction was approved and final. The lawsuit follows the 2021 HFPA diversity scandal, the subsequent industry boycott, and the 2023 sale of the Globes to Dick Clark Productions, Eldridge Industries and Todd Boehly.

Entities: Golden Globe Awards · Hollywood Foreign Press Association · Jay Penske · Penske Media Corporation · Todd Boehly

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 8 SOURCES] The complaint alleges Penske Media, Jay Penske and Todd Boehly engaged in a fraudulent scheme to acquire the Golden Globes. (new)
[● 8 SOURCES] The Hollywood Foreign Press Association filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. (new)
[● 6 SOURCES] The suit seeks rescission of the acquisition agreements and injunctive relief to undo the Golden Globes purchase. (new)
[● 8 SOURCES] The lawsuit characterizes the 2023 purchase of the Golden Globes as a sham process tainted by fraud. (new)
[● 7 SOURCES] The complaint alleges violations of federal and California antitrust and consumer‑protection statutes. (new)
[● 10 SOURCES] The lawsuit seeks at least $150 million in damages. (new)
[● 6 SOURCES] The lawsuit claims HFPA members were excluded from award‑related activities after the takeover. (new)
[● 3 SOURCES] Current owners of the Golden Globes called the lawsuit absurd and irrational. (new)