Joey Chestnut, the legendary competitive eater, will not participate in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut, who has won the event 16 times and is the eight-time defending champion, recently signed a deal to represent Impossible Foods, a rival brand to Nathan’s.
Major League Eating, the organization that oversees the Nathan’s contest, announced on Tuesday, June 11, that Chestnut’s deal was an “exclusivity” issue, saying that it was his decision to step back from the competition he has participated in since 2005. “We love him. The fans love him,” said George Shea, a Major League Eating event organizer, adding: “He made the choice.”
Nathan’s has a requirement for competitors that they are not to endorse any rival brands. Coney Island, New York, has hosted the event every Fourth of July since 1979. The 40-year-old Chestnut is the world record holder for most hot dogs and buns eaten when he consumed 76 in 10 minutes in 2021. Last year, Chestnut won for the 16th time after taking down 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, 14 more than the second-place finisher.
Impossible Foods has not confirmed a formal relationship with Chestnut, but he said in a statement on Tuesday they support his choice to compete in any competition, adding, “Meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener.”
Chestnut said he was “gutted” by the decision on social media later on Tuesday night. He also said he didn’t have any contract with MLE or Nathan’s, and that the decision to ban him was simply an attempt to “change the rules.”
Chestnut also said he learned of the decision through the reports on Tuesday. “I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I’m banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut wrote on social media. “I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with all my fans over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title.
“To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with … Rest assured that you’ll see me eating again soon. STAY HUNGRY!”
But now it looks like Nathan’s loss is Netflix’s gain. The wieners were barely cold when the streaming network announced a new hot dog-eating competition that will feature Chestnut and his “fiercest rival.” Chestnut will now face off with his frequent Nathan’s competitor, Takeru Kobayashi, in a live Netflix special on September 2, the streamer announced on June 12.
The contest, titled “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” will feature the two chowing down on all-beef hot dogs, likely in a nod to reports that Chestnut’s rival brand deal is with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based hot dogs. Following Netflix’s announcement, Shea said the streamer was “trying to recreate the Nathan’s contest to some extent and you just can’t do that.”
“Imitation is the best form of flattery,” he added. New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the conversation via X on Wednesday, urging Nathan’s and Major League Eating to “stop being such weenies.” He continued, “It would be ‘impossible’ to have this year’s Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut. Let’s find a way to squash this beef and bring back the champ for another 4th of July at Coney Island!”
In a Netflix news release announcing the competition, Chestnut said he was eager bring the competition to the streaming service. “Through all of my years in competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my fiercest rival,” Chestnut said via the release. “Competing against him pushed me to be so much better. I know that fans have waited a long time for another chapter of our rivalry and I can’t wait for our massive showdown live on Netflix! It’s time to give the people what they want!”
Kobayashi, who has been rumored to be retired, said in the Netflix release that he is looking forward to facing off with Chestnut once more. The two have not competed since 2009. “Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time,” Kobayashi said. “This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans all over the world can watch me knock him out.”
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