Golden Globes owner sued by former HFPA over 'monopolistic' award sale

The former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has filed a lawsuit against Penske Media, the current owner of the Golden Globe Awards, accusing the company of violating federal and state antitrust laws. The lawsuit, lodged in a California court, alleges that Penske Media orchestrated a covert scheme to seize control of the prestigious awards, which have historically served as a precursor to the Oscars.

The HFPA contends that Penske Media's maneuver was designed to "fraudulently acquire the prestigious and valuable Golden Globe Awards, with 80 years of history, destroy its founder and former owner, the HFPA, and exercise monopolistic control over Hollywood's advertising, awards, and commerce markets." The organization claims Penske Media has taken steps to exclude HFPA members from participating in these markets.

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The maneuver sought to fraudulently acquire the prestigious and valuable Golden Globe Awards, with 80 years of history, destroy its founder and former owner, the HFPA, and exercise monopolistic control over Hollywood's advertising, awards, and commerce markets.

This legal action stems from the fallout of a 2021 Los Angeles Times report that exposed a severe lack of diversity within the HFPA, leading to a crisis and industry boycotts. Consequently, the Golden Globe Awards were sold to Penske Media in 2023. Although the HFPA began a dissolution process, its board temporarily paused this in May 2025 to investigate irregularities surrounding the transfer of commercial power.

The former HFPA is demanding at least $150 million in damages and the nullification of the agreements that transferred ownership of the Golden Globes. The 113-page complaint further asserts that the plan is being executed partly through the misuse of a California non-profit organization, the GGF, as a vehicle for illegal and anti-competitive conduct.

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The plan is being perpetuated, in part, through the misuse of a California non-profit organization, the GGF, which serves as a vehicle to promote illegal and anti-competitive conduct.