Peter Thiel’s Hogan Funding Is ‘Uncommon’ Says Litigation Financier

After the revelation that PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel bankrolled Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker — which landed the pro wrestler a $140 million jury verdict — some of the largest litigation finance companies are on the defensive.

“It is uncommon,” said Jim Batson of Bentham IMF, of Thiel’s financing of the suit.

Thiel, one of the earliest investors in Facebook, had a bad history with Gawker: The media company published an article in 2007 outing him as gay. In an interview with The New York Times, he said “it’s less about revenge and more about specific deterrence.”

“I saw Gawker pioneer ...