The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization that historically owned the Golden Globe Awards, has filed a $150 million lawsuit against Penske Media Corporation and associated parties, accusing them of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to acquire the prestigious awards show. The complaint, filed in federal court in California, claims Penske Media, its CEO Jay Penske, and Eldridge Industries conspired to devalue the Golden Globes through a manufactured backlash and boycott, facilitating a takeover aimed at monopolizing Hollywood’s entertainment and awards markets.
According to the lawsuit, Eldridge Industries and its CEO Todd Boehly concealed Penske Media’s involvement from the HFPA board during the 2023 sale negotiations. This lack of transparency allegedly led the HFPA members to accept terms they would have otherwise rejected. The complaint contends Penske then failed to honor promises made to HFPA members, including lifetime tickets and voting privileges, by imposing unworkable conditions. It also claims the buyers infiltrated HFPA leadership to push the transaction forward.
Penske Media’s expansive portfolio includes industry-leading titles such as Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, and Billboard, along with ownership of Dick Clark Productions, which produces multiple awards shows including the American Music Awards. The acquisition positioned Penske Media as a key player in Hollywood’s awards landscape by becoming part owner of the Golden Globes.
The Hollywood Foreign Press has faced significant scrutiny in recent years. A 2021 investigation exposed a severe lack of diversity within its membership, triggering widespread boycotts including NBC’s decision to stop airing the ceremony in 2022. The lawsuit alleges that Penske and Eldridge fueled this boycott through media outlets they controlled to decrease the Globes’ value before acquiring it, contributing to a controlled market consolidation.
The Golden Globes ceremony itself has shifted broadcast partners since the acquisition, securing a new home on CBS. While Eldridge Industries and Todd Boehly were involved in the purchase and restructuring, they have not been named as defendants in the lawsuit. Representatives for the current owners dismissed the claims as baseless, describing the suit as the latest in ongoing disputes stemming from the dissolved HFPA entity.