St. Petersburg: A US jury on 18 March ordered the news and entertainment website Gawker to pay wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan $115 million for posting online a secretly recorded video of him having sex.

The six-member jury reached the decision in favour of Hogan after deliberating for six hours following a two-week civil trial in Florida.

Hogan, 62, has argued that the video, in which he is seen having sex with the wife of a friend, invaded his privacy and humiliated him.

Hogan’s lawyer has said it was viewed around seven million times.

Hogan, now retired, was one of America’s most famous entertainment wrestlers. Known for wearing a bandana and a handlebar moustache, his real name is Terry Bollea.

The sex tape lasts one minute and 41 seconds.

During the trial, Hogan testified that a friend of his, radio personality Bubba ‘the Love Sponge’ Clem, had an ‘open marriage’ and wanted his wife to have sex with Hogan.

After several entreaties, Hogan said he finally agreed, not realising that the encounter was secretly recorded.