Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel secretly funded wrestler Hulk Hogan’s 2016 lawsuit against Gawker Media, a legal battle that resulted in the outlet’s closure. Hogan sued the news site after it published a sex tape without his consent. The litigation ended with a $140 million judgment against the publisher, which ultimately forced it into bankruptcy.
Thiel acknowledged his involvement in the case after reports emerged regarding his financial support for Hogan’s legal team. Reports indicate Thiel sought to dismantle the outlet due to its history of critical coverage regarding his personal life, including the public outing of his sexual orientation. Gawker had previously published articles that mocked the investor. This intervention highlights the significant influence private capital can exert on media organizations through targeted legal action.