As things stand, Joey Chestnut, who has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for eight consecutive years, will not be participating this year.
It all stems from Chestnut’s promotion of Nathan’s rival Impossible Foods, which recently released a vegan sausage. Many have defended the eating legend, with one rival even going so far as to say that without him, this year’s winner at the Coney Island Fourth of July competition would be a “big asterisk.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is among those hoping to see Chestnut back in his usual spot on the Fourth of July, munching on hot dogs for his ninth straight victory.
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams would like to see Joey Chestnut compete in this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. (Gina Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Adams wants to do something about it.
“Stop being so mean!” he wrote on X, mocking the hot dog contest itself: “It’s IMPOSSIBLE to host this year’s Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut.”
“Let’s find a way to put an end to this feud and bring our champion back to Coney Island to celebrate another Fourth of July!”
Paige Spiranac volunteers to fill in for Joey Chestnut in hot dog eating contest, then shares ‘video proof’ of her skills
Adams secured a lucrative deal with Impossible Foods, which led Major League Eating (MLE) and Nathan’s to exclude Chestnut from competition this year.
“We are saddened 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.
Impossible Foods fired back with a statement of its own.
“We love Joey and support him in whatever competition he chooses to compete in,” the company said. “It’s OK to experiment with new dogs, and carnivorous dogs shouldn’t be limited to just one wiener.”
Competitive eating contestant Joey Chestnut poses with his mustard yellow championship belt during a game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Ball State Cardinals at Sanford Stadium on September 9, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Brandon Slaughter/Images for Sports/Getty Images)
Chesnutt also released a statement, saying, “After 19 years, the media is finally telling me that I’m [sic] Being “banned” from the competition.
“To be clear, I am not under contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they are seeking to change past rules regarding other partners I can work with. This appears to be the basis for my ban and does not affect the July 4th event.”
“Unfortunately, this is a decision made by Nathan’s and Major League Eating that will deprive my amazing fans of the usual holiday joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love and appreciate you all, and rest assured you will see me eating again soon!! Stay hungry!”
MLE and Nathan’s can rescind their decision regarding Chestnut, but he’s already got something lined up for Labor Day later this year.
Netflix announced that Chestnut and fellow competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi will go head-to-head in a live-streamed hot dog eating contest.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams posted on X, “Let’s find a way to put an end to this discord and bring Champion back to Coney Island for the 4th of July!” (AP Photo/Peter K. Afriye, File)
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Competitive eating fans are hoping to see Chestnut compete in both of these hot dog eating contests, and Adams is using his influence in New York City to make that happen.
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