WWE cuts ties with Hulk Hogan amid report that he used slurs

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. has severed ties with Hulk Hogan amid a report that one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling history used racial slurs in a conversation caught on a sex tape.

The company deleted most references to Hogan on its website and issued a statement today saying it had terminated its contract with him.

WWE did not give a reason, but issued a statement saying it is "committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide."

Today, a joint report from RadarOnline.com and The National Enquirer said that Hogan had used racial slurs in a conversation caught on a sex video that is the subject of an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit.

In a statement, the 61-year-old Hogan apologized for using "offensive language" in a conversation eight years ago.

"It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it," Hogan said, calling his departure from a WWE a resignation.