The Hulk Hogan Racism Scandal That Marred His WWE Career – Newsweek

Report on the Legacy of Terry Bollea (“Hulk Hogan”) and its Intersection with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the professional legacy of the late Terry Bollea, known as Hulk Hogan (1953-2025), through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analysis focuses on the 2015 controversy involving racist remarks, which led to his temporary removal from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). This incident provides a significant case study for examining corporate accountability and societal progress concerning SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The report also considers secondary implications related to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Incident Analysis and Institutional Response

The 2015 Controversy

In July 2015, Terry Bollea became the subject of intense public scrutiny following the release of transcripts from a 2007 recording. The key details of the incident are as follows:

• The remarks included the repeated use of racial slurs and discriminatory statements regarding his daughter’s personal relationships.
• The audio originated from a private recording that was central to a lawsuit filed by Bollea against Gawker Media for invasion of privacy.
• Further investigation by media outlets uncovered additional racially insensitive comments made by Bollea during recorded phone calls in 2008.

Corporate Response and Alignment with SDG 8: Decent Work

WWE’s reaction to the controversy reflected an enforcement of corporate standards for a safe and inclusive work environment, a principle aligned with SDG 8. The organization’s actions included:

1. Immediate termination of its contract with Terry Bollea.
2. Removal of all references to “Hulk Hogan” from its official website, including his profile in the Hall of Fame.
3. Issuance of a public statement affirming the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating, “WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds.”

These measures demonstrated a corporate commitment to creating decent work conditions free from discrimination, thereby holding a high-profile figure accountable for conduct that violated these principles.

Primary Impact on Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

Confronting Racial Discrimination

The controversy serves as a stark example of the challenges in achieving SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race or ethnicity. Bollea’s language directly undermined this goal by perpetuating harmful racial stereotypes. The subsequent public discourse and WWE’s actions highlighted a societal rejection of such discrimination, reinforcing the objectives of SDG 10.

Challenges in Accountability and Social Inclusion

While Bollea issued a public apology, his reinstatement into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 was met with significant criticism from both the public and peers within the industry. This mixed reaction illustrates the complexities of forgiveness and accountability. It underscores the ongoing dialogue required to ensure that actions promoting social inclusion are genuine and address the harm caused by discriminatory behavior, a core tenet of SDG 10.

Relevance to Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

A Case Study in Institutional Accountability

SDG 16 calls for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. WWE’s handling of the Bollea scandal is a case study in institutional accountability. By taking decisive action, the organization signaled that discriminatory behavior is incompatible with its institutional values. The episode forced the organization, and the wider entertainment industry, to reckon with its role in upholding standards of justice and inclusion.

Legal Proceedings and the Rule of Law

The legal battle between Bollea and Gawker Media, which culminated in a multi-million dollar settlement and the bankruptcy of the media outlet, touches upon principles of justice, privacy rights, and freedom of the press. This aspect of the controversy highlights the complex interplay between different facets of SDG 16, which seeks to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms while also providing access to justice for all.

Conclusion: A Legacy Viewed Through the SDG Framework

The passing of Terry Bollea on July 24, 2025, from cardiac arrest prompted a re-evaluation of his complex legacy. While recognized for his role in popularizing professional wrestling globally, his career is permanently marked by the 2015 controversy. An analysis through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals reveals the following:

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Bollea’s actions were in direct opposition to the goal of eliminating discrimination. The subsequent fallout, however, advanced public conversation and corporate policy toward greater racial inclusion.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The incident tested institutional accountability within a major global corporation and raised important questions about justice, privacy, and media ethics in the digital age.

Ultimately, the legacy of Hulk Hogan serves as a powerful reminder that individual actions, particularly those of influential public figures, have a profound impact on broader societal efforts to build a more equitable, just, and inclusive world as envisioned by the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The central theme of the article is the scandal involving Hulk Hogan’s use of racist slurs and racially charged comments. This directly relates to the goal of reducing inequalities based on race and promoting social inclusion. The article highlights WWE’s statement on its “commitment to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds” and Hogan’s own apology, where he states his belief that people “should not be treated differently based on race.”
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This goal is relevant through the article’s focus on institutional accountability and justice. WWE, as an institution, responded to the scandal by terminating Hogan’s contract, which the article describes as a “pivotal moment in wrestling’s reckoning with racism and accountability.” Furthermore, the discussion of Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker Media, which led to the company’s bankruptcy and “raised concerns about press freedom and privacy rights,” connects directly to themes of justice and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article touches upon this goal in the context of corporate responsibility and workplace conduct. WWE’s decision to terminate Hogan’s contract over his racist remarks is an example of a company enforcing policies against discriminatory behavior to maintain an inclusive work environment. The company’s public statement affirming its “commitment to diversity and inclusion” reinforces its stance on the principles of decent work for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • The article connects to this target by focusing on the exclusion and discrimination caused by Hogan’s racist remarks. WWE’s reaction and subsequent statement that it “is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds” is a direct response aimed at promoting inclusion within its sphere of influence.
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
   • WWE’s termination of Hogan’s contract can be seen as a corporate policy action against discriminatory behavior. Hogan’s apology, where he states, “I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race,” echoes the principle of equal opportunity that this target aims to ensure.
3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The article provides a case study of institutional accountability. WWE’s swift action to remove Hogan from its programming and website after the scandal broke demonstrates an attempt to be an accountable organization. The public scrutiny and “renewed debate” over his legacy show the ongoing demand for transparency and accountability from such institutions.
4. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
   • This target is explicitly relevant to the portion of the article discussing Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker Media. The text notes that the case, which resulted in Gawker’s bankruptcy, “raised concerns about press freedom and privacy rights,” highlighting the tension between these two fundamental principles.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Targets 10.2 and 10.3 (Reducing Inequalities):
   • Implied Indicator: The existence and public reporting of incidents involving discriminatory language by public figures. The entire scandal detailed in the article serves as a qualitative data point.
   • Implied Indicator: The content and issuance of corporate policies and public statements on diversity and inclusion. WWE’s statement (“WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds”) is a direct example.
2. For Target 16.6 (Accountable Institutions):
   • Implied Indicator: Actions taken by institutions in response to misconduct by high-profile members. The article specifies WWE’s action: “WWE swiftly terminated Hogan’s contract and removed all references to him from its website.”
   • Implied Indicator: Public debate and media scrutiny concerning an institution’s decisions. The article mentions that Hogan’s reinstatement was “met with mixed reactions” and that his death prompted “renewed debate over how to honor a figure whose legacy is… deeply flawed.”
3. For Target 16.10 (Protecting Fundamental Freedoms):
   • Implied Indicator: The incidence of high-profile legal cases that challenge the balance between press freedom and privacy rights. The article’s summary of the “legal battle with Gawker over the sex tape” and its outcome serves as such an indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsweek.com