Competitive eating fans across the nation are reeling from the news that Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the long-reigning champion of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, has been banned from this year’s event. The shocking decision comes in the wake of Chestnut’s endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a company known for its plant-based meat alternatives.
Major League Eating (MLE), the organization behind the annual Coney Island spectacle, issued a statement expressing their disappointment in Chestnut’s choice to promote a rival brand’s meatless “franks.” “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,” an MLE representative declared.
Insiders reveal that MLE had gone to great lengths to accommodate Chestnut’s various demands, including permitting him to participate in a separate Labor Day eating competition to be filmed by Netflix, as long as no specific hot dog brand was mentioned. The organization even offered the 15-time champion a staggering $1.2 million, four-year contract to continue his participation in the July 4th event.
However, Chestnut’s decision to align himself with Impossible Foods’ meatless products proved to be a bridge too far for MLE. The ban has left many wondering about the future of the iconic contest without its most recognizable competitor.
Reactions to Chestnut’s endorsement of plant-based “franks” have been mixed, with some fans accusing him of betraying the all-American tradition of meat-based hot dogs. Others, however, have praised the eating champion for embracing a more environmentally conscious and animal-friendly alternative.
As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, the absence of Joey Chestnut from the Nathan’s contest stage is sure to be a topic of conversation. Will the event be able to maintain its status as a cherished July 4th tradition without its most famous face, or will Chestnut’s stunning departure signal a shift in the world of competitive eating? Only time will tell.
