Gawker went bankrupt because of the damages awarded to Hulk Hogan by a judge in a legitimate lawsuit. Thiel wasn't a plaintiff in the case - he paid for Hogan'

Gawker went bankrupt because of the damages awarded to Hulk Hogan by a judge in a legitimate lawsuit. Thiel wasn't a plaintiff in the case - he paid for Hogan's defense. I'm sure that money helped Hogan mount the best case possible, but it didn't determine the outcome of the trial.