James Myers of OAN
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 1:59 PM
Hot dog news comes from Coney Island, where the best contestant in the biggest hot dog eating contest is eliminated.
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Joey Chestnut is the star of the annual Fourth of July festival.Number A contestant in a Nathan’s hot dog eating contest has avoided regurgitating beef this year after signing a deal to represent a vegan wiener brand.
The brand is Impossible Foods, and the company recently launched a line of vegan dog food made from plants.
The California native has won every year since 2016, taking the title 16 times to date. In 2021 he killed a world-record 76 dogs and last year he defended his title by eating 62.
A representative for Major League Eating, which Nathan authorized to run the event, said organizers were able to accommodate a variety of Chestnut’s other requests. The representative said he even allowed Chestnut to participate in a rival Labor Day dog-eating contest taped by Netflix, provided he nominated a different hot dog brand.
But he said he would not allow Chestnut to pitch to another dog company.
Sources said Chestnut was paid $200,000 to compete at Nathan’s last year and has been offered a contract worth $1.2 million over the next four years.
“We are deeply disappointed 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,” MLE said in a statement.
“MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to an appearance fee and allowing Joey to participate in a rival, unnamed hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.”
“We have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity agreement for nearly 20 years, but it appears that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with another brand over our longstanding relationship.”
However, organizers have allowed Chestnut to compete again for Nathan’s championship belt.
“Joey Chestnut is an American hero and we would love nothing more than to invite him to the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest,” the rep said.
“We look forward to him returning when he’s not representing a rival brand.”
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