The sale of Fleshbot, a pornography site, by Gawker Media wasn't a recent decision but rather a culmination of factors. Initially, Fleshbot's affiliation with Gawker Media ended in 2009 due to payroll complications with ADP, which refused to process payments for pornographic websites. Nick Denton, then took personal ownership.
The site was deemed a hindrance to attracting reputable advertisers. Fleshbot contributed only about 5% of Gawker Media's traffic, further diminishing its importance. According to the article, this caused issues in its ad serving.
Nick Denton stated that time constraints and ad serving problems were the primary reasons for the sale. His own evolving perception of his business is also highlighted; while previously identifying as a pornographer, he now sees himself as a gossip merchant.