The 16-time champion, Joey Chestnut, was shockingly banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest due to a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a rival to Nathan's vegan wiener.
The competitive eating community is in an uproar after the ban of Joey Chestnut from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this year. Chestnut, a 16-time champion, is considered the greatest competitive eater of all time.
The ban reportedly stems from Chestnut's sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a rival to Nathan's vegan wiener. According to the New York Post, Nathan's and Major League Eating (MLE) are unhappy with the deal and believe it violates Chestnut's contract.
Geoff Esper, the 2023 runner-up to Chestnut, believes that the contest will not be the same without him. "I don’t know what it’s going to be like this year without him there," Esper said. "I was there the year he lost to Matt Stonie, and that was crazy. I think it’s going to be a totally different contest."
The absence of Chestnut has opened up the competition this year, with Esper believing that it could come down to the wire. "I think it might be even more exciting this year because of how close the four of us are to the winning number," he explained. "The winning number is not going to be in the 70s, but it might come down to the last second."
MLE released a statement regarding Chestnut's ban, expressing their disappointment that he chose to represent a rival brand. "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," the MLE said.
MLE also noted that it allowed Chestnut to participate in a competition that rivals Nathan's on Labor Day, and it will be broadcast on Netflix. Chestnut was reported to have received $200,000 for appearing in last year’s competition, and was offered a four-year, $1.2 million deal.
However, Chestnut decided to promote Impossible Foods instead. Impossible Foods chimed in, expressing their support for Chestnut. "We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses," the company said. "It's OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn't have to be exclusive to just one wiener."
Chestnut has responded to the ban, expressing his disappointment and questioning the basis for his exclusion. "I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im [sic] banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest," Chestnut wrote.
Chestnut holds numerous world records in competitive eating, including consuming 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021. He has won every Nathan’s contest since 2007, except for one upset in 2015.
The ban has sparked a debate about the role of sponsorship in competitive eating. Some argue that Chestnut's deal with Impossible Foods is a violation of his contract with Nathan's and MLE, while others believe that he should be able to represent whichever brand he chooses.
The controversy is likely to continue until the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place on July 4th. The outcome of the contest, without Chestnut, will be highly anticipated.
