Hollywood Foreign Press Sues Over Golden Globes Ownership

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 31, 2026

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has sued Penske Media Corp., accusing the company of fraudulently acquiring the Golden Globe Awards through a coordinated campaign to damage HFPA’s reputation and force a takeover. The lawsuit seeks over $150 million in damages and aims to reverse the sale, underscoring conflicts over control and influence within the Hollywood awards industry.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization behind the Golden Globe Awards, has filed a lawsuit against Penske Media Corp., alleging an unlawful takeover of the prestigious awards show. The complaint was submitted on Tuesday to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and accuses Penske Media of fraudulently acquiring the Golden Globes to monopolize the lucrative advertising market connected to Hollywood’s awards season.

Penske Media, which owns prominent entertainment industry outlets including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline, purchased the Golden Globes in 2023 for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition followed media reports revealing allegations of financial self-dealing within the HFPA and longstanding criticism regarding the group’s lack of diversity. These revelations prompted widespread backlash within the entertainment industry, resulting in a boycott by actors and publicists and leading NBC to cancel its planned broadcast of the 2022 Golden Globes ceremony.

The HFPA’s lawsuit claims that Penske Media orchestrated the negative publicity campaign against the association through its own publications to deliberately damage HFPA’s reputation, thereby reducing its value and making it susceptible to acquisition. The association is pursuing damages exceeding $150 million and is seeking a court order to reverse the sale.

Daniel A. Saunders, legal counsel for the HFPA, described Penske Media’s actions as a “brazen attempt” to dismantle the organization, accusing the media company of seeking to consolidate monopolistic control in the Hollywood awards market and marginalize foreign journalists.

Penske Media declined to comment directly but referred to a statement from a Golden Globes spokesperson emphasizing that the sale agreement is final and not subject to reversal.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within Hollywood’s awards ecosystem and raises questions about media influence, governance, and the financial stakes surrounding high-profile industry events.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.