Competitive eater Joey Chestnut has issued a statement on social media after being declared out of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for this July 4th.
Reports indicate that Chestnut was not allowed to compete after endorsing vegan hot dog maker Impossible Foods.
In the statement, Chestnut says he has been “expelled” from the competition in which he became an international name.
“I was disheartened to learn from the media that after 19 years I am banned from the Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut said in a post on Twitter.
‘I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans across this great country on the 4th and I’ve been training to defend my title.
American competitive eater Joey Chestnut says he has been banned from Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island this summer due to sponsorship from a vegan rival.
Chestnut says he was training to defend his 2023 title before an ‘expulsion’ from the competition
‘To make things clear, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from previous years when it comes to other partners I can work with.
‘Apparently this is the basis for which I am being banned, and it does not affect the 4th of July event.
‘Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive big fans of the usual holiday joy and entertainment.
‘To my fans, I love and appreciate you. Rest assured that you will soon see me eat again!! STAY HUNGRY!’
Chestnut’s belief that he has been suspended was not what Major League Eating’s Richard Shea said NBC News.
‘There is no prohibition. Major League Eating wants it there. The fans want him there. “Nathan wants him there,” Shea said.
“We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand selling plant-based hot dogs rather than compete in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” a statement from Major League Eating (MLE). , which sanctions the event.
‘MLE and Nathan’s went out of their way to please Joey and his management team, accepting the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival off-brand hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.
Chestnut has won Nathan’s hot dog eating contest a record 16 times, including in 2023.
‘Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him in Nathan’s famous international hot dog eating contest, which he has dominated for years. We hope that he returns when he does not represent a rival brand.”
A source told the New York Post that Chestnut was paid $200,000 to appear in last year’s contest, and was even offered a four-year, $1.2 million contract starting this year.
In the end, Chestnut felt obligated to honor his unspecified agreement with Impossible Foods.
The chestnut tree has been eaten competitively since 2005 and has been devouring the competition ever since. He has won this contest a record 16 times and is the reigning champion.
His record of 76 hot dogs eaten in the 2021 Nathan’s competition remains the most competitively eaten in the world.