— The jury has sided with Hulk Hogan in his case against Gawker and awarded him $115 million in damages. Gawker will no doubt be appealing the decision and while the company probably won’t be liable for that full amount to Hogan, it will be at least $50 million just to appeal and could force Gawker into bankruptcy or a sale.
From CNN:
The jury in Hulk Hogan’s invasion of privacy suit against Gawker Media awarded the ex-wrestler $115 million on Friday.
The six person jury — four women and two men — deliberated for nearly six hours.
Hogan, dressed all in black including a black bandana, cried when the verdict was announced.
Gawker’s legal team appeared to have anticipated a costly verdict. Lawyers for the New York news site issued a statement shortly after the jury retired to begin deliberations. The statement mentioned the jury’s inability to consider a trove of recently unsealed documents related to the case.
“It may be necessary for the appeals court to resolve this case,” the statement said.
Hogan had sued Gawker, founder Nick Denton and former editor A.J. Daulerio for posting the nearly two minute segment of a Hogan sex tape in 2012. Hogan’s suit claimed Gawker had violated his privacy and had sought $100 million.
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