Famous competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will not appear in this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest on July 4. The New York Post reports the 16-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating champion has been banned from the 2024 event due to a rival endorsement deal he made with Impossible Foods. Major League Eating said organizers gave in to many of his demands, including participating in another competition for Labor Day on Netflix as long as he didn’t promote another hot dog brand.
“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,” MLE said in a statement . “For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship.
” It’s unclear how much Chestnut is receiving in his sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, which recently launched a meatless hot dog made from plants. A source told the Post that Chestnut was paid $200,000 for his appearance in the Nathan’s contest last year and would’ve been paid $1.2 million over the next four years.
Chestnut, 40, has been a favorite of the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest since his first appearance in 2005. He hadn’t lost the competition since 2015, eating a record 76 franks and buns in 10 minutes i.
