![Joey Chestnutt]()
The July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition will look much different this year.
Each year, Americans love the tradition of watching grown men shove hot dogs in their faces, with Joey Chestnut being the legendary winner for nearly two decades. But this year's competition will leave Coney Island fans with a tough bun to swallow, knowing that Chestnut will not be present.
The New York Post learned through a representative of Major League Eating (MLE) who spoke out after learning that Chestnut penned a deal with a rival hot dog company—and one that doesn't even make real dogs. That's right: Joey Chestnut inked a deal with Impossible Foods, which recently launched a vegan frankfurter, making it hard for Chestnut to proudly shove Nathan's franks in his face.
The MLE noted that they bent over backward to meet some of Chestnut's other demands. They even agreed to let him participate in a rival Labor Day competition that Netflix would film so long as no other brands were mentioned. However, neither party could agree, leading to the banning of Chestnut's participation in this year's competition.
“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.
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.”
The representative said to
The Post in a statement. It does sound promising that Chestnut will return to the Coney Island stage one day, but his sixteen-year run as the contest winner is coming to a close.
The Post also reported that Chestut was paid $200,000 to appear in last year's competition and offered a $1.2 million four-year contract going forward. That is a large chunk of change to be skipping out on over this deal.
Repping a vegan hot dog brand, that's gotta tarnish the legacy a bit, eh? Who knows what they're paying him, but sounds like quite the sellout move to me.
I am interested to see who will now take home the coveted crown during this year's 4th of July hot dog eating contest. May the best glizzy gobbler win. Relive last year's contest while you are here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AI5nCkE1xM
