The competitive food world — including the host of the Nathan’s hot dog contest — is reeling after the news that the legendary Joey Chestnut would not be participating in this year’s Fourth of July contest.
Tuesday has the New York Post reported that Chestnut’s deal with vegan frank manufacturer Impossible Foods will prevent him from competing at Coney Island this year, with the 16-time Nathan’s champion hoping to support rival Impossible at the event.
And in the words of the contest’s host, George Shea, Chestnut’s exclusion feels like a “gut punch.”
‘For me this is a tradition; it’s about New York; it’s about the 4th of July,” Shea told the newspaper New York Timesadding that he was ‘devastated’ by the development.
“But maybe that’s just me and not what this is like for everyone else.”
Joey Chestnut won his 16th Nathan’s hot dog contest last year on the Fourth of July at Coney Island
But he skips the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition due to a sponsorship conflict
Shea described Chestnut and its separation from competition as the “inevitable consequence” of its partnership with Impossible Foods, according to the Times.
“It would be like when Michael Jordan used to come to Nike, who made his Air Jordans, and say, ‘I’m going to represent Adidas too,’” Mr. Shea said. “It just can’t happen.”
Chestnut reportedly received $200,000 to appear at last year’s Nathan’s competition and was offered a four-year, $1.2 million contract this year.
However, the eater has now “prioritized a new partnership with another brand” in the eyes of Major League Food.
The organization said in a statement: “We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than participate in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest .
“MLE and Nathan have gone to great lengths in recent months to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to participate in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.
“We have been operating under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions for nearly two decades. However, it appears that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with another brand over our long-term relationship.”
“Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns if he is not representing a rival brand.”
Chestnut is welcome to return to the annual competition when his conflicting sponsorship ends
Chestnut, who downed 62 hot dogs to win the 2023 title, later broke his silence and said he was “gutted” by the news.
“I was upset to hear from the media that after 19 years I have been banned from the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 4th of July,” he said on X. “I love participating in that event, I love Celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and training to defend my title.
‘To set the record straight, I have no contract with MLE or Nathans and they want to change the rules of recent years when it comes to other partners I can work with. This is apparently why I was banned, and it has no bearing on the 4th of July event.”
He continued, “Unfortunately, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive our fans of the usual joy and entertainment of the holidays. To my fans: I love and appreciate you. Don’t worry, you’ll see me eating again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!’
