What is Bubba the Love Sponge’s real name and what did he say? All about radio host alleging Hulk Hogan is dying

Florida radio host Bubba the Love Sponge, whose real name is Todd Alan Clem, recently made headlines by claiming that wrestling legend Hulk Hogan was on his deathbed.

According to multiple reports, on his radio show on June 18, 2025, Bubba said that he has received “some pretty reliable information” that Hogan is hospitalized in critical condition. He said that his family members are being called to bid him their goodbyes.

However, a representative of the wrestling legend informed that the rumors are false as he is not close to death but is facing some neck and back issues, per E! News. She added that he underwent neck surgery after a 'little fusion procedure' to make him 'feel a little better'.

The rumors about Hogan, whose real name is Terry Gene Bollea, started when Bubba the Love Sponge informed his listeners about Hogan’s health condition.

What did Bubba the Love Sponge say about Hulk Hogan?

On June 18, 2025, Bubba the Love Sponge started a rumor about Hulk Hogan’s ongoing health condition, where he said on his radio show:

“If you did some sniffing around, you might find him in a hospital near you and it’s not good. I got some pretty reliable information last night that there are phone calls being made to various family members about getting to town to come say your goodbyes.”

However, the rumor was debunked soon by Hogan’s representative, who stated that he faced some health ailments and now has recovered successfully.

The radio host was born as Todd Alan Clem, however in 1999, he legally changed his name to Bubba the Love Sponge, per a report in Family Diplomacy. It added that the name was given to him by a former fellow DJ.

A report in the Los Angeles Times indicated that Bubba and Hogan were once close friends. They were so close that Hogan served as best man at Bubba’s wedding to Heather Cole in 2007. He is also the godfather to his son.

According to the Daily Mail, Bubba the Love Sponge was once known as the “king” of Florida radio. He became one of the most successful and recognizable radio personalities in the Tampa Bay area.

However, his downfall began when he recorded Hulk Hogan having s*x with his wife, Heather D. Cole, formerly Heather Clem, while Hogan was staying in their home's guest suite in 2006.

Reportedly, a former employee of Bubba, Matt "Spiceboy" Loyd, released the s*x tape, which further deteriorated Hogan’s friendship with Bubba. He stole several s*x tape DVDs from Bubba’s office and then sold clips to TMZ to generate interest. According to Radar Online, a source said:

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"Even though Bubba knew how much the Hulk s*x tape would be worth, he didn't stab his friend in the back and he's not the one who released it. It's a former employee of Bubba's who was outraged when he left Sirius to go back to terrestrial radio. He wanted payback."

The leak of the s*x tape led to major consequences. Firstly, Bubba the Love Sponge was fired, and secondly, Hogan won a $140 million lawsuit against Gawker Media, which resulted in its closure, as per a report in the Daily Mail.

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