Hulk Hogan, known as Terry Bollea, died at age 71. He was a major figure in 1980s professional wrestling and later in reality TV. In 2012, he sued Gawker over the publication of a sex tape, claiming emotional distress and invasion of privacy. A Florida jury ruled in favor of Hogan, awarding $140 million. Gawker subsequently went bankrupt. Tech billionaire Peter Thiel funded Hogan's lawsuit, motivated by a personal vendetta against Gawker, raising concerns over media silencing practices empowered by wealth.
Hulk Hogan, a towering icon of professional wrestling, significantly impacted digital publishing by suing Gawker over a leaked sex tape, leading to a monumental jury verdict.
A Florida jury awarded Hogan $115 million in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages, resulting in Gawker's bankruptcy and a shift in digital media.
Peter Thiel financed Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker with around $10 million, raising concerns about wealthy individuals using lawsuits to silence media and threaten First Amendment rights.
Thiel's motivation stemmed from Gawker's 2007 revelation of his sexual orientation, highlighting how personal grievances can lead to significant legal battles affecting media freedom.
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