Joey Chestnut, the renowned champion of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, has been a dominant force in the competitive eating world for many years.
However, fans were left stunned when news broke that he had been banned from the 2024 competition.
The annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a beloved American tradition that takes place every Fourth of July at Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island, New York City. The event has been running since 1979 and has seen champions like Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo emerge victorious in recent years.
The reason behind Chestnut’s ban stems from a deal he made to represent a rival brand, Impossible Foods, known for their plant-based beef hot dogs. Despite efforts from Major League Eating (MLE) and Nathan’s organizers to accommodate Chestnut’s demands, including a significant appearance fee and a potential multi-million dollar contract, the champion opted to work with a different hot dog company, leading to his exclusion from the 2024 competition.
In a statement, MLE expressed disappointment at Chestnut’s decision but still held out hope for his return to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in the future. Chestnut, a 16-time champion, holds the record for consuming the most hot dogs and buns, with an impressive 76 in 2021.
While the ban may come as a blow to fans of competitive eating, many are hopeful that Joey Chestnut will find a way back to the iconic event where he has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest eaters of all time.
