HFPA Files Lawsuit Against PMC Over Golden Globes Acquisition
WHO:
Deadline - The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is suing Penske Media Group (PMC).
Variety - The lawsuit involves Penske Media Corporation, the parent company of Variety.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit claims that the HFPA's profits from the 2023 Golden Globes, amounting to $27.5 million, were gifted to Eldridge after the acquisition closed.
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit alleges that the amendment to the acquisition was not properly presented to board members and was never ratified by the HFPA's members.
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit states that Todd Boehly, who became interim CEO of the HFPA, worked alongside then-president Helen Hoehne to fast-track the acquisition.
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit claims that the acquisition positioned Penske to control entertainment news and maintain a monopoly over advertising revenue streams.
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit mentions that Hoehne held a meeting with about 50 voters who had signed contracts with the new corporate owners in June 2023, entitling them to a base salary of $75,000 annually in a five-year deal.
The Hollywood Reporter - The meeting's purpose was to offer severance of $102,500 as the Globes phased out its model of paying its awards voters.
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit claims that the terms of the transaction were changed after it closed to greenlight a $27.5 million gift from the HFPA to Eldridge.
The Hollywood Reporter - The amendment to the acquisition was not properly presented to board members and was never ratified by the HFPA's members.
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit alleges that the acquisition process was facilitated by Todd Boehly, who was interim CEO of the HFPA and worked alongside then-president Helen Hoehne.
Deadline - The HFPA filed a 113-page lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Variety - The lawsuit is an antitrust case against PMC regarding the 2023 acquisition of the Golden Globe Awards.
Variety - The HFPA accuses PMC of taking control of the awards show through a "sham process tainted by fraud."
WHERE:
Deadline - The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
WHEN:
Deadline - The lawsuit was filed on a Tuesday.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - The HFPA claims that the acquisition was facilitated through a "conflicted and corrupt" negotiation process.
Deadline - The HFPA alleges that PMC engaged in a scheme to fraudulently acquire the Golden Globe Awards and gain control over the awards market.
Variety - The HFPA claims that PMC's actions constitute monopolization, unlawful restraint of trade, and unfair trade practices.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit alleges that Penske orchestrated a media campaign that led to an industry-wide boycott of the Golden Globes ceremony in 2022.
The Hollywood Reporter - The lawsuit alleges that Penske orchestrated a media campaign that criticized the HFPA for lacking diversity, leading to an industry-wide boycott of the Golden Globes ceremony in 2022.
Deadline - The lawsuit alleges that PMC's acquisition process was fraudulent.
(UPDATED July 29, 2026 02:52 UTC)
A new lawsuit claims that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's profits from the 2023 Golden Globes, totaling $27.5 million, were improperly gifted to Eldridge following the acquisition. It alleges that the amendment to this acquisition was not properly presented to board members and lacked ratification from HFPA members, while also stating that Todd Boehly, the interim CEO, and then-president Helen Hoehne expedited the process. Additionally, the lawsuit mentions a controversial meeting held by Hoehne with about 50 voters in June 2023, where they were offered a severance package as the organization transitioned away from its previous payment model for awards voters.
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(UPDATED July 29, 2026 01:27 UTC)
A new lawsuit claims that the terms of a transaction involving the Hollywood Foreign Press Association were altered post-closing to allow for a $27.5 million gift to Eldridge, without proper presentation or ratification by board members. The HFPA alleges that this acquisition process was marred by "conflicted and corrupt" negotiations facilitated by Todd Boehly, who was interim CEO at the time, alongside then-president Helen Hoehne. Additionally, the lawsuit points to a media campaign orchestrated by Penske that criticized the HFPA for its lack of diversity, which contributed to a significant industry-wide boycott of the Golden Globes ceremony in 2022.
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(UPDATED July 28, 2026 23:21 UTC)
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is suing Penske Media Group, the parent company of Variety, in a significant antitrust case regarding the 2023 acquisition of the Golden Globe Awards. Filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the 113-page lawsuit accuses PMC of engaging in a fraudulent scheme to take control of the awards show, which the HFPA claims constitutes monopolization and unfair trade practices. The HFPA alleges that the acquisition process was tainted by fraud, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the awards market.