Joey Chestnut, famed hot dog eater, partners with vegan brand and is ousted from July 4th contest
Joey Chestnut, a celebrated figure in competitive eating, will not participate in the upcoming July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest—a competition he has dominated for years—due to his recent endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a company known for its plant-based hot dogs. Chestnut, who has won the event 16 times including every year since 2016, has completely changed the dynamics of his participation in the competition by aligning with a rival brand. Major League Eating (MLE), which oversees the event, expressed their disappointment, stating they had tried to accommodate Chestnut’s demands but were unwilling to compromise on exclusivity provisions which have been traditionally upheld. The organizers felt compelled to draw the line as Chestnut became the face of this competing brand, marking a significant turn in their longstanding relationship.
Hot Dog eating legend Joey Chestnut signed with a vegan weiner brand and now he’s out of the annual July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition he wins every year.
California-born Chestnut, who recently signed up with a brand called Impossible Foods, won’t be allowed to compete in the Coney Island tradition and defend the title he’s won 16 times, including every year since 2016, the New York Post reported.
The food champ has completely dominated the competition earning a world record in 2021 with 76 dogs and buns and last year keeping the crown after chomping down on 62 wieners and buns.
The July 4th Nathan’s competition has taken place every year at the corner of Stillwell and Surf avenues, just steps away from the Boardwalk, since 1916.
A representative for Major League Eating (MLE), which runs the event for Nathan’s told the outlet that “the organizers bent over backwards to meet Chestnut’s various other demands,” but had to draw a line when he became the face of a different hot dog brand, with beef wieners it says are made by plants.
“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,” a statement from MLE read.
“MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths in recent months to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day,” the statement added.
“For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship,” the statement continued.
Major League Eating addresses Joey Chestnut’s choice to represent a rival brand, expressing disappointment and hope for his return to Nathan’s Famous. pic.twitter.com/NrbK4aRUc8
— Major League Eating (@eatingcontest) June 11, 2024
MLE closed out its statement by labeling Chestnut “an American hero.”
“We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest,” the company said. “We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.”
One source told the outlet that the hot dog-eating champ was paid $200,000 to appear in the contest last year, and was offered a four-year contract for $1.2 million going forward.
“The two sides could still come to a resolution before July 4, but it depends on Joey,” an insider said.
“He’s the Michael Jordan of competitive eating,” the source added. “But imagine if Michael Jordan said to Nike, ‘I love being the face of Nike but I want to do commercials for Adidas too.”
Chestnut took to social media and disputed some of the claims for why he’s out this year. He wrote on X, “I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event.”
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