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On Tuesday, the world was rocked by the news of Joey Chestnut being banned from the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest over a sponsorship dispute, and the legendary competitive eater revealed he was just as blindsided as everyone else while responding the the shocking development.
In 2007, Joey Chestnut announced his grand arrival on the competitive eating circuit by snapping Kobayashi’s six-year winning streak at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest after shoving 66 of them down his gullet. The sport has never been the same since then, as the man known as “Jaws” has only lost its premier event a single time since then while securing the Mustard Belt a grand total of 16 times.
There was no reason to believe one of the most dominant athletes of all time wasn’t going to add a 17th to his collection in Coney Island this year, but things took a stunning turn on Tuesday when Major League Eating (MLE) announced he’d been banned from participating in the contest due to his decision to sign a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods (which produces a plant-based hot dog that was positioned as a “rival” to the wieners Nathan’s is known for).
The news sparked a fairly pathetic gaslighting effort from MLE thanks to a spokesperson who attempted to argue Chestnut wasn’t really banned but was simply not allowed to participate unless he severed ties with the rival brand (which is also known as a “ban”).
On Tuesday night, Chestnut responded to the news in a series of tweets where he said MLE didn’t even have the decency to contact him directly before going public with the ban while asserting the organization (along with Nathan’s) is “looking to change the rules from past years” to prevent him from cashing in on his fame.
(1/3)I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title.
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
(3/3) Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
You could argue Chestnut owes the two parties a debt of gratitude when you consider the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest put him on the map, but at this point, I’d argue his presence at the showdown is a bigger draw than the event itself.
Both sides still have a few weeks to come to some sort of compromise, so here’s to hoping reason will prevail.