Hollywood Foreign Press Association Sues Penske Media Corporation Over Golden Globes Purchase

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Penske Media Corporation. The legal action centers on the 2023 acquisition of the Golden Globe Awards, which the HFPA now claims was a fraudulent process.

The association alleges that Penske Media Corporation orchestrated a boycott of the awards to weaken the organization, making it easier to take control of the asset. The complaint details that HFPA members believed they would retain lifetime voting rights and event access, but those promises were not kept after the deal closed.

Legal documents state that the voting body is now under the direct control of the Penske Trust, rather than functioning as an independent journalistic group. The lawsuit asserts that Penske Media Corporation exerts monopoly power over the trade publication market and the secondary awards sector.

Penske Media Corporation has rejected these claims, calling the lawsuit an attempt to distract from the organization's past ethical issues. They maintain that the acquisition was completed years ago following all necessary approvals. The HFPA is seeking damages of at least $150 million.