Raoul Gatchalian/STAR MAX/IPx
アメリカのプロレス団体WWEは7月24日、看板選手のハルク・ホーガン（61）を解雇したと発表した。約8年前に録音されたとみられる会話の中で、人種差別発言を行っていたことが理由と見られている。解雇発表の中で「WWEは様々な国の出身である従業員と競技者で成り立ち、ファンは世界規模である通り、国籍、文化、人種を問わず個人を尊重し、受け入れます」と強調した。
芸能サイト「RadarOnline.com」によると、ホーガンは2007年に、娘で歌手のブルック・ホーガンさんが黒人男性と付き合っていることに不満を述べた会話の中で、黒人への差別用語である「ニガー」を使用していたという。大衆紙「ナショナル・エンクワイアラー」が入手した録音テープで明らかになったという。
ホーガンは、芸能誌「ピープル」で「8年前の会話で、私は攻撃的な言葉を使っていた。そのような言葉を使うのは、社会的に受け入れられないことだ。言い訳の余地もなく、謝罪したい」とする声明を発表している。
■ハルク・ホーガンとは？
1980〜90年代を代表するアメリカのプロレスラー。1953年、アメリカ・ジョージア州生まれ。リングネームは人気コミック「超人ハルク」に倣ったもの。1983年には新日本プロレス「第1回IWGP」決勝で、アントニオ猪木をアックスボンバーで失神させて優勝した。84年にWWF（現WWE）世界ヘビー級王座を獲得している。WWEには2014年4月に6年ぶりに復帰していた。
ハルク・ホーガン画像集
Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania Tour Hits Perth(01 of32)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to Ric Flair during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Ric Flair looks on while awaiting the entrance of Hulk Hogan during the Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (credit:Paul Kane via Getty Images)
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Hulk Hogan And Attorneys Press Conference(18 of32)
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