Golden Globes Sale Under Fire: $150M Fraud Lawsuit Filed
WHO:
NY Post - The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) is involved in the lawsuit against Penske Media Corporation and others.
Los Angeles Times - Jay Penske is identified as a media mogul and owner of Penske Media Corp.
Los Angeles Times - Todd Boehly is the billionaire chairman of Eldridge Industries, the parent company of Dick Clark Productions.
WHAT:
NY Post - The lawsuit alleges that Penske and Boehly “colluded” to purchase the Golden Globes through a “corrupt Asset Purchase Agreement.”
Los Angeles Times - The suit claims that owning the Golden Globes would “solidify a vertical and horizontal monopoly on the awards market.”
Los Angeles Times - The complaint states that the Golden Globe Foundation became “an extension of the for-profit entity Penske and Boehly formed.”
Los Angeles Times - The lawsuit cites an attempt to use more than $275,000 in charitable funds for the for-profit Globes LLC’s Golden Globes viewing party.
Los Angeles Times - The suit alleges that Penske Media owns 80% of FYC advertising worth upward of $1 billion annually.
NY Post - A $150 million lawsuit has been filed against Penske Media Corporation over alleged fraud during the acquisition of the Golden Globes.
Los Angeles Times - The lawsuit claims the 2023 purchase of the Golden Globes was a “sham process tainted by fraud.”
Los Angeles Times - The suit seeks damages of at least $150 million.
Los Angeles Times - The complaint alleges that Penske and Boehly orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently acquire the Golden Globes and dismantle the HFPA.
Los Angeles Times - The suit accuses Penske and Boehly of using charitable foundation assets for non-charitable commercial interests.
WHERE:
Los Angeles Times - The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
WHEN:
Los Angeles Times - The lawsuit was filed on a Tuesday.
Los Angeles Times - The HFPA voted in 2022 to accept a proposal by Boehly to transform the organization into a for-profit venture.
Los Angeles Times - The transaction for the Golden Globes closed more than three years ago.
WHY:
Los Angeles Times - The lawsuit claims that the acquisition was intended to solidify a monopoly over the awards market and control the dissemination of entertainment news.
Los Angeles Times - The HFPA was attempting to rehabilitate its image after being criticized for ethical failures and lack of diversity.
HOW:
Los Angeles Times - The lawsuit claims that Penske Media required FYC advertising purchases from its trade publication for awards consideration.
Los Angeles Times - The suit alleges that Penske and Boehly instigated a boycott of the HFPA using Penske’s trade publications to devalue the organization.
Los Angeles Times - The complaint states that Penske Media sold “Variety Golden Globes” dinner series for $70,000 each to access Golden Globes voters.
Los Angeles Times - The company allegedly charged a $5,000-per-project administration fee for projects placed on the Golden Globes Screening Platform.
(UPDATED July 29, 2026 15:38 UTC)
A new lawsuit has been filed alleging that Penske and Boehly colluded to purchase the Golden Globes through a corrupt Asset Purchase Agreement, which the suit claims would create a monopoly in the awards market. The complaint further states that the Golden Globe Foundation has become an extension of the for-profit entity formed by Penske and Boehly, and it cites an attempt to use over $275,000 in charitable funds for a viewing party for the for-profit Globes LLC. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Penske Media controls 80% of FYC advertising, valued at more than $1 billion annually, and required purchases from its trade publication for awards consideration.
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(UPDATED July 29, 2026 05:55 UTC)
A $150 million lawsuit has been filed against Penske Media Corporation, with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association involved in the case, claiming that the acquisition of the Golden Globes was a “sham process tainted by fraud.” The suit alleges that media mogul Jay Penske and billionaire Todd Boehly orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently acquire the awards and dismantle the HFPA, while also using charitable foundation assets for commercial interests. Filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, the complaint details how Penske's trade publications instigated a boycott of the HFPA to devalue the organization and includes claims of selling access to Golden Globes voters for $70,000 each.