Joey Chestnut, professional eating icon will not be participating in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest because he was banned earlier this month.
The conflict between Joey Chestnut and Nathan’s Famous could not be solved before the brand’s iconic Fourth of July event. So, the 40-year-old Chestnut will not compete in the competition at Coney Island, where he has been a dominant force for years.
The Nathan’s hot dog eating contest has long been a foundation of Chestnut’s career, helping him rise to fame in the competitive eating world. The Kentucky native has won in the contest 16 times, including his most recent win last year.
But Chestnut will not have the chance to defend his title this year due to his new sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a company that produces plant-based alternatives, including a vegan hot dog.
This decision to align with a direct competitor of Nathan’s was viewed as a conflict of interest by Major League Eating (MLE), the organization that oversees the annual event.
Who is Joey Chestnut?
Joseph Christian Chestnut is commonly known as Joey Chestnut, an American competitive eater, who was born on 25th November, 1983. In 2024, Major League Eating ranked him the number one in the world. Joey Chestnut net worth is $3 million as he earned major part of his wealth through these competitions.
Joey Chestnut won the 92nd Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest held at New York City on 04th July, 2007. He defeated six-time defending champion Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayashi by having a world record 66 hot dogs and buns (HDB) in 12 minutes, after losing to Kobayashi in 2005 and 2006.
Then he went on a road to win eight consecutive titles from 2007 to 2014, making a Nathan’s record of 69 HDB in 2013.
Joey Chestnut got defeated by Matt Stonie in the 2015 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. But he regained the championship belt from Stonie by having 70 hot dogs. He claimed the championship from 2016 to 2023.
Joey Chestnut hot dog record is consuming 76 HDB in the year 2021. He secured his 16th and the latest title by eating 62 HDB on 04th July, 2023. But he was banned from competing in the 2024 contest because of a conflicting sponsorship with Impossible Foods.
Joey Plans New Challenges
In an official statement, MLE showed their disappointment by saying that they are sad 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 04th July Hot Dog Eating Contest.
MLE and Nathan’s made great efforts to bring Joey and his management team, including accepting the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in an unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day. For nearly ten years, they have maintained the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions.
Chestnut said about the situation on social media, showing his disappointment, that he was upset to learn from the media that after 19 years he is banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest.
He has been training hard to defend his title as he loves competing in that event and celebrating America with his fans all over country on the 4th.
Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will prevent the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. For his fans he wrote that, he loves them and appreciate them. Rest assured that they will see him eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!”
Despite his ban from the Nathan’s event, Chestnut will remain active on the Fourth of July. He has accepted an invitation to participate in a 5-minute hot dog eating contest against soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
Announcing the event on social media, he wrote that he is honored to celebrate America’s birthday with U.S. ARMY soldiers and their families. Bring him their best 4 eaters and he’ll take them down, combined!
Also, Chestnut is ready to compete against Takeru Kobayashi in an “ultimate hot dog eating competition” on Labor Day, which will be streamed by Netflix.
This match will be the first time the two legendary eaters have faced each other since the 2009 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, marking a highly much awaited reunion.
Conclusion
Joey Chestnut’s absence from the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a result of his new partnership with Impossible Foods, leading to a rift with Nathan’s and MLE.
Despite this drawback, Chestnut remains committed to his fans and the sport of competitive eating, with several high-profile events on his schedule.
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