Hulk Hogan was such a seismic figure in American pop culture, for better or worse, that the ripple effects from his passing continue weeks later.
While many aspects of Hogan’s (real name Terry Bollea) life stand out, from his pro wrestling success to his racist comment controversies, the leaked sex tape that led to his lawsuit against Gawker Media is among the most memorable.
Sometime between 2006 and 2007, Hogan was videotaped while having sex with Heather Clem, wife of Todd “Bubba the Love Sponge” Clem. While he fully admits the encounter was consensual, he claims that the videotaping was done without his consent. A two-minute portion of the 30-minute video appeared on Gawker in 2012, which then led to the lawsuit that effectively killed Gawker Media and Deadspin.
It has long been assumed by many that Bubba was the one who leaked the tape, presumably for money or due to a personal conflict with Hogan. In fact, Hogan sued Clem for invasion of privacy over the leak, and the two later settled with Clem publicly apologizing over it.
Brooke Hogan called into Clem’s show on Tuesday and claimed her father told her that he was not responsible for the leak of the tape.
Brooke Hogan just revealed her dad, Hulk Hogan, told her Bubba The Love Sponge was not the one who leaked the sex tape that changed the course of the wrestling legend’s life.
🎥: Bubba Radio Network pic.twitter.com/bupy0ZfSdZ
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) August 5, 2025
“I want to tell you that I was down in my dad’s gym with him back when they set up the sting operation, because somebody was going to try to extort (him) for the tape,” Brooke said. “And my dad told me that he knew it wasn’t you that leaked the tape. I’ve been watching you take the heat for it, and I’ve been hearing you say sorry, and I know that you have a guilty conscience.”
She added that she was aware of security footage from Clem’s home that showed one of his employees taking the tape.
“My life would have been so much different if he would’ve just let that be known,” Clem said. “You’re the only person that I’ve ever talked to that has stepped up. I’m almost in tears of your generosity of offering me that information.”
Now, it is worth saying that not only is this hearsay, but Hulk Hogan developed a reputation throughout his life as being a notorious liar. So take that information as you will. Does it change anything about the Gawker trial either way? No. But is it yet another curious wrinkle in what ended up oddly being one of the most consequential media stories of the 21st century.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.