ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A jury awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million Friday, siding with the ex-pro wrestler in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media, the Associated Press reported.
The jurors reached the decision Friday evening, less than six hours after they began deliberations. The trial lasted two weeks.
"We're exceptionally happy with the verdict," Hogan's legal team told Fox News, "We think it represents a statement as to the public's disgust with the invasion of privacy disguised as journalism. The verdict says no more."
Earlier Friday, in spirited closing arguments, lawyers for Hogan and Gawker discussed themes of personal life versus celebrity, and freedom of speech versus the right to privacy.
Hogan, whose given name is Terry Bollea, sued Gawker for $100 million for posting a video of him having sex with his former best friend's wife. Hogan contended the 2012 post violated his privacy.
The jurors reached the decision Friday evening, less than six hours after they began deliberations. The trial lasted two weeks.
"We're exceptionally happy with the verdict," Hogan's legal team told Fox News, "We think it represents a statement as to the public's disgust with the invasion of privacy disguised as journalism. The verdict says no more."
Earlier Friday, in spirited closing arguments, lawyers for Hogan and Gawker discussed themes of personal life versus celebrity, and freedom of speech versus the right to privacy.
Hogan, whose given name is Terry Bollea, sued Gawker for $100 million for posting a video of him having sex with his former best friend's wife. Hogan contended the 2012 post violated his privacy.
