Big news in the world of competitive eating! Joey Chestnut, the legendary 16-time winner of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, has been banned from this year’s event by Major League Eating.
The reason behind the ban? Chestnut’s recent partnership with a vegan food company that competes with Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. Major League Eating officials were shocked by Chestnut’s decision to prioritize a new brand over the long-standing tradition of the contest.
Despite efforts by Nathan’s and Major League Eating to accommodate Chestnut’s team, the decision was made to uphold the exclusivity agreement that has been in place for two decades. Chestnut’s choice to align with a rival hot dog brand led to his ban from the competition.
Joey Chestnut has been a dominant force in competitive eating and a fan favorite for years. His absence from the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest is a significant change for the event, but fans hope to see him return in the future without conflicting brand loyalties.
Chestnut’s sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a company known for its plant-based hot dogs, has stirred up controversy in the competitive eating community. Despite the ban, Chestnut’s achievements in the sport, including holding a world record of consuming 76 hotdogs and buns, have solidified his place as one of the greatest eaters of all time.
It’s worth noting that Chestnut hasn’t clinched a victory at Nathan’s in several years. The last champion was Matt Stonie in 2015. Prior to the ban, Chestnut was a strong favorite with odds reflecting a 95% chance of winning.