Hulk Hogan's Win In Gawker Sex Tape Trial Up To $140.1 Million

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Pinellas County jury has added another $25.1 million in punitive damage on top of the $115 million it awarded former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan on Friday in his case against Gawker Media.

The punitive damages were added in the case on Monday, according to several media outlets. The initial $115 million included $55 million for economic damages and $60 million for emotional distress.

The case in question centered on Gawker Media’s decision to post a video on its website that showed Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, engaged in sexual intercourse with shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge’s then wife Heather Cole.

Friday's 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.

See Also:

• Hulk Hogan Awarded $115 Million In Gawker Sex Tape Trial
• Hulk Hogan Blames South Tampa Upbringing for Racial Slur
• Hulk Hogan's Bandana Raising Eyebrows In Sex Tape Trial

The video, believed to have been recorded in 2007, 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.

The $25 million awarded Monday during the punitive damages phase was much less than the jury could have awarded. State law allows for up to three times the amount of compensatory damages, which would have added up to $345 million in this case.

Gawker has already indicated it plans to appeal.