WWE sacks Hulk Hogan over racial slur

Hulk Hogan has apologised for his use of racial slurs in a leaked tape after World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) confirmed, Friday, it had terminated the wrestler’s contract, though Hogan says he resigned.

The 61-year-old’s profile was taken off of the WWE website overnight, prompting speculation that evidence of him using racist language was about to emerge.
In a just-released audio transcript published online, the 61-year-old can reportedly be heard using racial slurs about his daughter’s love life.
He is reported to have said: ‘I mean, I don’t have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f***ing n***ers. But then when it comes to nice people and s**t, and whatever.’
Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, has apologised for his comments exclusively to People magazine, and maintained that they are not consistent with who he is.
‘Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it.’
‘This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise.
‘I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs.’
Hogan’s lawyer David Houston confirmed to People that his client took the decision to leave the organisation, saying ‘He decided to resign from WWE because he didn’t want to put them or his family through this’.
WWE have issued a statement to the contrary saying they terminated Hogan’s contract:
‘WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (a.k.a. Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.

The released audio transcript is thought to show Hogan repeatedly using the n-word when discussing his daughter’s private life, having already been embroiled in a legal battle over a sex tape involving him that was posted online by Gawker back in 2012.