Gawker Looking For Help in Hulk Hogan Lawsuit — Court Requests Mediation
In case things weren’t crazy enough in the Gawker vs. Hulk Hogan sex tape lawsuit, it’s being reported that the media website is now looking for help in the form of funding in order to secure a victory in the case.
According to a story on the New York Post.
“With the Hulk Hogan trial beginning in early March, Gawker Media is fortifying its finances to ensure full resources are in place for the continued cost of litigation… Legal expenses from general revenues and given the expenses of continuing to defend our First Amendment rights, [Gawker brass] has concluded that additional financing should be locked in before the trial begins.”
Tech Times reported earlier today that the Gawker is selling a minority stake in the company, in order to fund it’s legal expenses.
“Headed to trial in March to face a $100 million invasion of privacy lawsuit by former pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan over a sex tape that the website posted, Gawker Media has agreed to sell a minority stake to investment company Columbus Nova Technology.”
In case things haven’t been crazy with this lawsuit, a Florida judge is now requesting that both parties go into mediation before the trail begins. An article posted on Tampabay.com reveals more details.
“Judge Pamela Campbell made her suggestion during a discussion about attorneys’ upcoming review of DVDs made during an FBI sting operation. ‘After the attorneys have an opportunity to look at those DVDs, I’m going to suggest that the attorneys or that you go back to mediation… I’m not going to require it, but I think you’ll see why.'”
Judge Campbell also stated the following.
“I’m not saying that they are admissible. In fact, I’m sure some of them definitely are not admissible, but I’ll let you all review them, and then we can discuss what each side wants to do with them, which for the majority of those DVDs, it’s slim to none.”
Gawker sued the FBI in order to get their hands on the documents, after a federal judge ruled that the documents were available under the Freedom of Information Act.
Gawker has been a self-financed company under CEO/Founder Nick Denton since 2002. However, due to the pending lawsuit and the ramifications it may cause, many financial backers have been weary of investing into the company.
The comments in particular forced WWE to sever ties with Hogan by terminating his Legends contract, and the company has removed the majority of his content from both the WWE website and the WWE Network; although, some of his material is still available. WWE also removed Hogan from their Hall of Fame in light of the video being leaked. Many other wrestling organizations including TNA Wrestling, which Hogan was a part of from 2010 to 2013 have also severed its ties with the legendary wrestler.
WWE has been hesitant in bringing back Hogan into the fold as of recent due to the company’s partnership with sponsors such as Mattel, whom also produce their action figures and toys and recent additions Kay Jewelers and Coca-Cola. Though his return to the WWE may not be forever, many have speculated that the company may bring him back in time for their annual WrestleMania event.
[Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images]
