Judge Campbell denies Gawker's motion for new Hulk Hogan trial. Will not reduce $140m damages

Judge Campbell has denied Gawker's motion for a new trial, and will not reduce the $140m damages, so gawker will have to pay up. Or bankrupt. Whichever comes first.

Judge Campbell denies Gawker's motion for a new trial. She will not reduce the $140m damages at all. #hulkvsgawk

— Anna Phillips (@annamphillips) May 25, 2016

Interestingly as this is happening, The New York Times Andrew Ross Sorkin has been floating a theory that Peter Thiel has bankrolled Hulk Hogan's suit. NYT knows this because they have an anonymous source:

"Peter Thiel, a billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, helped fund the case brought by the wrestler, Terry Gene Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, against Gawker, said a person briefed on the arrangement who spoke on the condition of anonymity.”

That's very interesting, we've seen anonymous sources before, such as in the Rolling Stone "Jackie" story, where her claims were not double-checked with the fraternity she accused of gang rape. Similarly the article in the NYT does not mention having sought comments from Peter Thiel. Mr Denton is said to have phoned Mr. Bollea’s legal team, and they - naturally - refused to comment. Because opposing legal council do not chat with people that they are suing. Mind boggling.

So while the judge in Florida has cemented the verdict, Gawker's name travels the reporting pages garnering sympathy as someone rich and powerful has allegedly payrolled to take them down a notch. It couldn't be because Gawker is a blight to the internet and a cancer to modern "journalism".

See how far that story has spread now, CBC news Canada "Peter Thiel bankrolled Hulk Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker, reports say", Gawker: Reports: Tech Billionaire Peter Thiel Secretly Bankrolled Hulk Hogan’s Lawsuit Against Gawker, Marketwatch Is billionaire Peter Thiel secretly bankrolling Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker?, and Forbes This Silicon Valley Billionaire Has Been Secretly Funding Hulk Hogan's Lawsuits Against Gawker.

I love how some of the headlines are questions. You know the rules, the answer to question headlines is always "No." I also love the timing of these headlines, all based on a single anonymous source. They're touting a conspiracy, while looking like one.

It's not over yet. Gawker has already stated that they plan to appeal the jury verdict to Florida's Second District Appeals Court, where Gawker is confident it will win.

Just spoke to @va_shiva, whose lawsuit against Gawker was also brought by Charles Harder. He says Thiel has "zero involvement." #hulkvsgawk

— Tom Kludt (@TomKludt) May 25, 2016

Update Peter Theil reveals that he did indeed finance the Hulk vs Gawker case

Previous Hulk & Gawker coverage:
Gawker is Toxic to brands who partner with them Oct 26 2014
Gawker brought back Bullying - then removes post against editorial staff's wishes 18 July 2015
Sex, Wrestling and Mussolini: Gawker's Toxic Anti-Journalism Needs To Stop 11 March 2016
Hulk Hogan vs Gawker trial: yelling "racist" at the top of your lungs is not a defense. 17 March 2016
Jury awards Hulk Hogan 115 million in Gawker trial 18 March 2016
Hulk Hogan vs Gawker trial: Total damages now $140.1 million 22nd March 2016
Nick Denton fires back: We will win on appeal because Hulk is a racist (pretty much) 23rd March 2016