Joey Chestnut Withdraws from Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest to Represent Impossible Foods

Dynastic hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut will not compete in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest after striking a deal with plant-based food company Impossible Foods. The Major League Eating (MLE) organization, which oversees the event, expressed disappointment 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 competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.”Chestnut, a 16-time winner of the “Mustard Yellow Belt” and holder of the world record for eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, has reportedly earned substantial sums through his competitive eating career. MLE co-founder George Shea noted the organization’s efforts to accommodate Chestnut, including allowing participation in an unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.“It’s a long-standing rule not to represent a rival brand,” Shea stated. “Michael Jordan can’t go to Adidas and say that Air Jordans are great.”Despite the conflict, MLE clarified that Chestnut is not banned for life and could return if he renounces deals with brands competing against Nathan’s. “Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which he has dominated for years,” MLE said. “We hope that he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.”Chestnut, through an account on X (formerly Twitter), claimed, “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.” CNN has not independently verified the authenticity of the account.This incident echoes past disputes, such as when former champion Takeru Kobayashi did not compete in the 2010 contest due to contractual disagreements with Nathan’s.An Impossible Foods spokesperson supported Chestnut’s decision: “We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses. It’s OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener.”Representatives for Joey Chestnut, Nathan’s, and its parent company Smithfield Foods did not respond to requests for comment.