Hulk Hogan is one of the most iconic wrestlers of all time, but he also missed out on one of the most lucrative endorsement deals in history. The story of how Hogan let the George Foreman Grill slip through his fingers is both ridiculous and tragic, and it reveals a lot about the fate and fortune of celebrities.
The George Foreman Grill is a popular and profitable product that has sold over 100 million units worldwide since its launch in 1994. It is a countertop electric grill that can cook meat, vegetables, sandwiches, and more in a fast and healthy way. It is named after the former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, who became the face and voice of the brand.
But Foreman was not the first choice for the endorsement. According to Hogan, he was offered the deal by his agent, but he either chose a different sponsor or didn’t answer his phone in time, depending on which version of the story he tells. In an interview with A&E Biography, Hogan said he opted for a meatball maker instead of the grill, thinking it would be more appealing to his fans. “I said, ‘Well, that’s fantastic, I want the Hulkamania Meatball Maker.’ And they said, ‘Well, we’ve got another product. It’s a grill.’ And I said, ‘Ah, give that to your other client.’”
That other client was Foreman, who was also represented by the same agent as Hogan. Foreman initially rejected the offer, but his wife convinced him to give it a try. He agreed to film a 30-minute infomercial for the grill, and the rest is history. The grill became a huge success, earning Foreman over $200 million in royalties over the years.
Hogan later regretted his decision and admitted that he made a mistake. He also claimed that he actually wanted the grill, but he missed the call from his agent because he was picking up his kids from school. He said that when he called back, it was too late. “I got home and called him back about 15 minutes later and said ‘Hey what’s up?’ He goes ‘Well I got some good news and some bad news.’ I said ‘What’s the good news?’ He goes ‘Well I got you a great deal; it’s the best deal I ever got for you.’ I’m thinking it’s gonna be MILLIONS! He goes ‘I got you this thing where you can make hamburgers like McDonald’s.’ I’m like ‘YES!’ He goes ‘But the bad news is I gave that George Foreman Grill thing to George.’”
Whether Hogan chose the meatball maker or missed the call, the result was the same: he lost his chance to endorse one of the most successful products of all time. He also lost a lot of money that could have helped him with his personal and professional troubles later in life. He filed for bankruptcy in 1998, divorced his wife in 2007, and faced several lawsuits and scandals in the 2010s.
Meanwhile, Foreman enjoyed his fame and fortune as the grill king. He also credited the grill for helping him regain his health and fitness after his retirement from boxing. He said that the grill saved his life by allowing him to eat better and lose weight. “I used to have these pants with elastic bands because nothing else would fit me,” he said. “Now I can buy pants right off the rack.”
The story of Hulk Hogan and the George Foreman Grill is a lesson in opportunity and choice. Sometimes, one decision can make or break your career and your life. As Hogan himself said, “It was like destiny had something else in mind for me.”