Why Nick Hogan is suing Bubba the Love Sponge over planned documentary linked to Hulk Hogan controversy?

Hulk Hogan’s long-shadowed s*x tape scandal is resurfacing, and now, it’s his son Nick Hogan stepping in to fight back. On behalf of his father’s estate, Nick has filed a federal lawsuit in Florida aimed at blocking radio host Bubba the Love Sponge from releasing a new documentary tied to the infamous controversy.

At the heart of the case are claims of copyright infringement, trademark misuse, and a broken settlement agreement dating back to 2012.

Nick Hogan takes legal action to protect Hulk Hogan’s image

Nick Hogan, 35, filed the lawsuit after Bubba, whose real name is Todd Alan Clem, announced his upcoming film, Video Killed The Radio Star: The Untold Story Of The Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Scandal. The project, scheduled for release later this month, promises to revisit the notorious leak involving Hulk Hogan and Bubba’s then-wife, Heather Clem.

According to the lawsuit, the trailer already includes “unauthorized images” from the s*x tape itself. Nick also alleges Bubba is “promoting the documentary using Hulk’s trademarks without permission,” further claiming the release would violate the terms of a confidential 2012 settlement between Hogan and Bubba. While the specifics of that settlement remain sealed, Nick argues the new project crosses clear legal lines.

He is asking the court to block the documentary and is also seeking unspecified damages.

A scandal that changed both Hulk Hogan and Bubba the Love Sponge

The s*x tape saga, which dates back nearly two decades, devastated Hogan’s career and personal life. After snippets were published by Gawker in 2012, Hogan successfully sued the outlet for invasion of privacy, ultimately winning a $140 million verdict that bankrupted the site. The fallout permanently fractured his friendship with Bubba.

Though Hogan never publicly blamed Bubba for the leak, their relationship never recovered. Bubba himself admitted regret after Hogan’s passing in July, saying, “I’m heartbroken to hear of Terry’s passing. As everyone knows we had our issues and those issues were mostly my fault. I loved him as a friend while he was with us, and will continue to love his memory as a friend going forward,” he told TMZ.Also Read: Who is Taylor Fritz’s girlfriend Morgan Riddle? Fashion-forward influencer going viral for high heels stunt during US Open matchHogan died on July 24 at the age of 71 after suffering a heart attack. The WWE legend had been battling leukemia and an irregular heart rhythm in the years leading up to his passing.