Todd Boehly, the American billionaire owner of Chelsea FC, is now at the center of controversy after being accused of ‘fraudulent’ behavior and ‘crass profiteering’ in relation to his 2023 takeover of the Golden Globes.
The accusations, made by former members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), claim that Boehly unfairly seized control of the prestigious awards ceremony after a boycott by stars and publicists had tarnished its reputation.
The HFPA, which had historically run the Golden Globes, faced backlash after revealing that it had no Black voting members.
In response, a group of ex-HFPA members sent a legal letter to California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, requesting an investigation into the takeover, hoping to block the dissolution of the HFPA.
These claims, which include accusations of Boehly ‘whitening out’ the Globes brand for ‘grubby events in the Middle East,’ were quickly dismissed by a source close to Boehly.
READ ALSO: Congo Executes 102 “Urban Bandits” as 70 More Await Execution
The source referred to the accusations as a ‘character assassination,’ asserting that the takeover was legitimate and that there was no basis for the claims.
Boehly, who also leads a consortium that purchased Chelsea FC for £4.25 billion in 2022, has reportedly overseen major changes at the Golden Globes since the acquisition, including new charges for films and TV shows on its screening platform, as well as a significant increase in ticket prices.
The changes have reportedly been seen as an attempt to profit from the prestigious brand, leading to further criticism.
While sources close to Boehly suggest the deal has already been finalized and no investigation into the claims has been launched, the controversy has resurfaced just as nominations for the 2024 Golden Globes were announced.