#9: Hulk Hogan and Third-Party Funding in Privacy Litigation (Gawker lawsuit: 2016)
Hulk Hogan’s invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against Gawker Media became one of the most consequential media cases of the twenty-first century. Beyond the verdict itself, the case attracted enormous attention because billionaire Peter Thiel secretly financed Hogan’s legal battle. The arrangement introduced many Americans to the growing practice of third-party litigation funding, where outside investors support expensive lawsuits. The eventual judgment contributed to Gawker’s bankruptcy while raising important questions about privacy, press freedom, and access to justice. Legal scholars continue debating the broader implications of the case.
