Joey Chestnut Prohibited From 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog-Eating Contest After Devouring Greenery
Joey Chestnut, the most accomplished competitive eater in the world, known for winning the venerated Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest a record 16 times and being the strong contender to secure his ninth consecutive championship in the months ahead, won't be present at Coney Island for the July 4th feast.
In a crushing revelation concerning Major League Eating's (MLE) premier yearly event, which takes place annually on the Coney Island Boardwalk during Independence Day, Nathan's officials confirmed Chestnut's ban. This 40-year-old competitive eater has been disqualified from participating due to his recent affiliation with Impossible Foods, a company that promotes plant-based hot dogs.
The statement issued by MLE proclaimed: "It's unfortunate that Joey Chestnut has decided to represent a rival brand producing plant-based hot dogs instead of competing in the 2024 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest."
MLE and Nathan's went to great lengths in recent months to accommodate Chestnut and his management, agreeing to the appearance fee and letting him participate in a non-branded hot dog eating event on Labor Day. However, it appears that Joey and his managers have put more importance on their new partnership with this other company.
The 2024 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, which is sponsored by Nathan's and organized by MLE, has been a crowd-favorite for almost two decades.
Chestnut stated that he was shocked to learn through the media about his exclusion from the upcoming July 4th hot dog eating event.
"I was heartbroken to discover from the press that, after 19 years, I can no longer compete in the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest," Chestnut tweeted. "I've always enjoyed taking part in this event, celebrating America with my fans, and training for the title defense."
Chestnut further disclosed that he has no written agreement with either MLE or Nathan's and claims the organizations are just annoyed about his partnership with Impossible.
"They're attempting to change rules from past years regarding the partners I can work with, " Chestnut declared.
MLE and Nathan's have opened the possibility for a potential resolution that would allow Chestnut to compete, as long as he terminates his agreement with Impossible.
In Geoffrey Esper's absence, the current favorite to win the men's event stands at -225. In last year's competition, Esper placed second, significantly behind Chestnut.
Since his arrival on the competitive eating scene in 2006 when he won the Nathan's event by eating 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes (the competition changed to 10 minutes in 2008), Chestnut has been the top choice to remain king of the hot dogs. He holds the Nathan's record for the most hot dogs and buns eaten with 76, which he achieved in 2021.
When anticipating last year's Nathan's competition, the sportsbook platform in New Jersey, BetMGM, didn't take bets on Chestnut winning his sixth title straight because of his -5000 odds, signifying a strong chance of winning, with a $100 bet earning just $2.
Chestnut managed to win once again, consuming 62 buns and rolls. Esper merely managed to eat 49 hot dogs.
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