Chelsea Owner Todd Boehly Under Fire: Allegations of Fraudulent Behavior and Profiteering After Golden Globes Acquisition
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is facing serious allegations of “fraudulent” behavior and “crass profiteering” following his 2023 acquisition of the Golden Globe Awards. These accusations have been raised by former members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization that traditionally managed the awards.
In 2023, Boehly’s company, Eldridge Industries, took control of the Golden Globes, transitioning the event from a non-profit to a for-profit model. This move was intended to address previous controversies surrounding the HFPA, including issues of diversity and ethical practices.
However, the transition has been fraught with internal conflicts. Many HFPA members allege that they were excluded from decision-making processes and denied promised benefits, such as attendance at the awards ceremony. Tensions escalated when 11 legacy members were ousted, leading to feelings of exclusion among remaining members, some of whom were only invited to a “viewing party” separate from the main event.
A source close to Boehly has dismissed these allegations as a “character assassination,” indicating that the claims lack merit.
The situation has attracted the attention of the California Attorney General’s office, which is reportedly reassessing the deal between Eldridge Industries and the HFPA. Concerns have been raised about the transparency and fairness of the acquisition process, prompting a review to ensure compliance with state regulations.
These developments have cast a shadow over the Golden Globes, an event already striving to recover from past scandals. The allegations against Boehly and the ongoing internal disputes within the HFPA suggest that the challenges facing the awards show are far from resolved.