Joey Chestnut is the biggest name in competitive eating. Unfortunately, he won’t be taking part in the biggest eating event of the year; the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July.
A 16-time champion of the event, Joey Chestnut will not be allowed to participate this year because of endorsement deals. He opted to represent a different hot dog brand, which didn’t sit well with Nathan’s or Major League Eating, which has resulted in him being barred from the annual event at Coney Island.
Riding an eight-contest winning streak, Joey Chestnut reportedly agreed to a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based products, including hot dogs. It isn’t rare for athletes and celebrities to have multiple endorsements, but as MLE organizer George Shea put it, this one crossed a line.
“It would be like Michael Jordan saying to Nike, ‘I’m going to represent Adidas, too,'” MLE event organizer Shea said.
Not surprisingly, it is a decision that Joey Chestnut is very disappointed in. Not only is he well known in the world of competitive eating, people who enjoy watching the Hot Dog Eating Contest every year love seeing him in action. He expressed his disappointment in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“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,” Chestnut said in his post. “… 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.”
Impossible Foods has stated they will support Jaws in any contest that he wishes to take part in. But, MLE could not hide their disappointment when he opted to sign a deal with a rival company.
“MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths in recent months 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,” MLE said in its statement. “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 hot dog brand over our long-time relationship.”
Joey Chestnut did reveal that he doesn’t have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s. The issue has arisen solely because of the Impossible Foods deal that was signed, saying, “they are looking to change the rules from past years as it related to other partners I can work with.”
The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will not be the same in 2024 without Joey Chestnut taking part. He holds the top 10 eating performances for the contest with a high of 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021.
Do you want the latest news, updates, and rumors surrounding all sports? Click here. Make sure to check out our sister sites as well: NFL Analysis Network, NBA Analysis Network, Packers Coverage.
