Hulk Hogan gives evidence in $100m sex tape lawsuit

Former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan has given evidence in the second day of a trial in his lawsuit against media firm Gawker Media over the publication a sex video.

The trial resumed in St Petersburg, Florida, with Hogan being cross-examined by Gawker lawyers.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is suing the New York-based website for posting an edited clip of a sex tape made of him and the wife of his then-best friend.

Gawker’s lawyers played videos of Hogan doing interviews with celebrity news website TMZ and radio host Howard Stern about the sex tape. “I was just trying to make the best out of a bad situation. Howard was making me laugh,” Hogan said.

Hogan said that he was in his Hulk Hogan persona when he did the interviews, and made bawdy jokes in character. “I didn’t want to bring Terry Bollea the man, separate the character, in to the conversation,” Hogan, 62, told the jury.

Gawker’s lawyer also pressed Hogan about whether he asked the interviewers to not raise the issue of the sex tape. Hogan said he did not, that it was his publicist’s job.

The core issue is in the case is: Did Gawker have the right to post one minute and 41 seconds of the sex tape, approximately nine seconds of it actual sexual content?

Hogan and his lawyers say no, that Gawker invaded his privacy. He is suing Gawker for $100m (€90m), saying the posting of the video caused him severe emotional distress.

Gawker says the publication was a legitimate scoop because Hogan had talked openly about his sex life before. The jury may have to grapple with questions about how celebrity affects expectations of privacy.

Gawker lawyer Michael said the website has a right to address uncomfortable subjects, reject spin by celebrities, and tell the truth. He said news of the tape, including screen shots, was on other gossip sites before Gawker published the video.