The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has filed a lawsuit against Penske Media Corporation, alleging fraud in the 2023 sale of the Golden Globe Awards. The HFPA, which owned and operated the ceremony for nearly eight decades, claims the transaction was structured to deprive the organization of its most valuable asset.

According to the complaint, Penske Media — through its Eldridge Industries affiliate — acquired the Globes' intellectual property and broadcast rights in a deal the HFPA now characterizes as fraudulent. The press association argues it was misled about the terms and valuation, resulting in a transfer that effectively dismantled its core operations.

The litigation marks a dramatic escalation in the tumultuous recent history of the Golden Globes, which faced intense scrutiny over ethical lapses and diversity failures before the sale. Penske Media, which also owns Variety, Deadline, and Rolling Stone, has not publicly responded to the allegations. The outcome could reshape control of one of Hollywood's most prominent awards franchises.