The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest every July 4th has become one of the more anticipated events of the summer. But unfortunately, one of the legends of the event will no longer be able to participate.
On Tuesday, it was reported that Joey Chestnut, who has won the event every year since 2016 and has won the event a record 16 times, will not be allowed to compete in this year’s contest after making a deal to represent another hot dog brand.
According to the New York Post, Chestnut agreed to a deal with Impossible Foods, which recently launched a vegan hot dog made from plants.
This of course means that we will have a new winner of the event for the first time since 2016, ending Chestnut’s reign of dominance over the event.
With this decision being made, Chestnut will miss out on the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest money. But it seems like he will overall be making more by not competing and taking the Impossible Foods deal.
Major League Eating reportedly paid $200,000 to appear in the contest last year, but Chestnut was offered a $1.2 million, four-year contract going forward for repping the vegan hot dog brand.
MLE issued a statement on their decision to ban Chestnut from competing in this event, which was retrieved by the New York Post.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
Chestnut is very clearly the biggest name on the competitive eating scene. So naturally, there are plenty who are quite upset with this decision.
There has to be more to this story. I can’t live with no Joey Chestnut on 4th of July. I’m distraught
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) June 11, 2024
Joey Chestnut is taking Impossible Meat's Blood Money and not doing the Nathan's Hotdog REAL BEEF contest is almost as bad as the LIV tour. It's a step away from Hotdogs made from insects being forced upon the public. Travesty this is what our country is coming to.
— Billy (@Billyhottakes) June 11, 2024
No Joey Chestnut in the Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest? https://t.co/WmnGPWGQEQ pic.twitter.com/cZxUngxAff
— Conor Sheeran (@conor__sheeran) June 11, 2024
It’s almost impossible for an organization to make a dumber decision than leaving Caitlin Clark off the team USA roster. And then major league eating comes out and bans Joey Chestnut from the hot dog eating contest
— Jordie (@jordiebarstool) June 11, 2024
Joey chestnut is welcome at dudefest to eat all the hotdogs he wants https://t.co/TmpqD0lJnt
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) June 11, 2024
