News broke on Tuesday that Joey Chestnut, a titan of the competitive eating scene, would not be part of the Nathan’s 4th of July hot dog eating contest. It’s an event that’s been a staple for years, and Chestnut has been a staple of.
Major League Eating, which puts on the event with licensing from Nathan’s, a hot dog brand. They reportedly put the kibosh on Chestnut participating in the event in light of the fact that he’s chosen to sign an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based hot dogs.
Chestnut took to social media to offer his account of the ordeal on Tuesday evening.
“I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut said in a thread of posts. “I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title. To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event.
“Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!”
Chestnut won the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest a record 16 times, including every year since 2016. He holds the world record of 76 hot dogs at the competition and won the 2023 event with 62.
Chestnut was reportedly paid $200,000 for the competition appearance last year and was offered a four-year, $1.2 million deal moving forward.
MLE also issued a statement on the matter on Tuesday.
“We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” a statement from Major League Eating said. “MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.
“For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship. Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.”
On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.
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