In a stunning turn of events, competitive eating icon Joey Chestnut has been barred from participating in the upcoming Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The decision comes after Chestnut’s surprising endorsement of plant-based “franks” produced by Impossible Foods, a rival brand to Nathan’s.
Major League Eating (MLE), the sanctioning body for the annual event, expressed their dismay at Chestnut’s choice to align himself with a competitor. “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,” an MLE representative stated.
Sources reveal that Chestnut, who has been a fixture at the Coney Island contest since 2016, was offered a lucrative four-year contract worth $1.2 million to continue his participation. MLE also reportedly accommodated various other demands from the eating champion, including allowing him to compete in a separate Labor Day event to be filmed by Netflix, as long as no specific hot dog brand was mentioned.
However, MLE drew a firm line when it came to Chestnut promoting a competing product. The organization’s decision to ban the 15-time champion has sent shockwaves through the competitive eating community, with many questioning the future of the iconic July 4th event without its most recognizable face.
Chestnut’s move to endorse Impossible Foods’ meatless “franks” has also sparked a heated debate among fans and critics alike. Some view the switch as a betrayal of the traditional all-American hot dog, while others applaud Chestnut for embracing a more sustainable and animal-friendly alternative.
As the nation gears up for its annual Independence Day celebrations, the absence of Joey Chestnut from the Nathan’s contest stage will undoubtedly be felt. The question remains: can the event maintain its status as a beloved July 4th tradition without its most famous competitor, or will Chestnut’s shocking departure mark the beginning of a new era in the world of competitive eating?
