Golden Globes sale was a 'sham,' Hollywood Foreign Press alleges in $150-million suit against Penske, others

Key Points:

• The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) filed an antitrust lawsuit against Jay Penske, Penske Media Corp., the Golden Globe Foundation, and others, alleging a fraudulent acquisition of the Golden Globe Awards and seeking at least $150 million in damages.
• The lawsuit claims Penske and billionaire Todd Boehly colluded to acquire the Golden Globes through a "sham process," aiming to monopolize Hollywood trades, awards markets, and entertainment news, violating California antitrust and consumer protection laws.
• The complaint accuses Penske and Boehly of orchestrating a boycott against the HFPA to devalue the organization, then acquiring the Golden Globes and converting the nonprofit HFPA into a for-profit entity while misusing charitable assets.
• The suit alleges that the new Golden Globe Foundation, intended as an independent nonprofit, became an extension of the for-profit entity controlled by Penske and Boehly, with improper diversion of funds and restrictions imposed on former HFPA members.
• Penske is also accused of turning the Golden Globes into a "pay-to-play" operation, charging high fees for access to voters and advertising, while the HFPA board has paused dissolution to investigate alleged malfeasance related to the sale.