Hulk Hogan Awarded $115 Million In Gawker Sex Tape Trial

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Gawker’s decision to post a video on its website of former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan engaged in sex with the now ex-wife of shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge will cost it $115 million.

A Pinellas County jury sided with Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, in a case that weighed freedom of speech against privacy.

The verdict followed two weeks of deliberation during which both sides insisted the law was on their side. Gawker contended it was well within its rights to post an edited version of the sex tape on its website in 2012. Bollea’s lawyers have maintained the tape was recorded without their client’s consent and knowledge and posting it was an invasion of his privacy.

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The video, believed to have been recorded in 2007, showed Boella and Heather Cole, Todd "Bubba" Clem's then wife, engaged in sexual intercourse. The video also contained footage of Boella making a racial slur. That portion of the tape was brought to light last year, resulting in Boella's ouster from professional wrestling's WWE and his removal from the organization's hall of fame.

In regard to Gawker's use of the video, Boella asked for $100 million in damages related to invasion of privacy and emotional distress. The six-person jury handed down the verdict a few hours after closing arguments were made Friday. The jury decided to up the award by $5 million, multiple media outlets have reported.. A total $55 million is for economic damage suffered by Boella. The rest reportedly is compensation for emotional distress.

Gawker has already indicated it plans to appeal.