Major League Eating (MLE) president Richard Shea insisted on Wednesday the present would go on with or with out Joey Chestnut in attendance for the Nathan’s scorching canine consuming contest on the Fourth of July.
Chestnut, the 16-time champion within the Coney Island spectacle, is not going to be competing within the occasion over a problem with contract stipulations. Chestnut not too long ago signed a sponsorship cope with Impossible Foods, which launched a vegan scorching canine. MLE guidelines stipulate scorching canine consuming opponents can not signal with rival manufacturers.
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Joey Chestnut stuffs his mouth with scorching canine through the males’s competitors of Nathan’s Famous July Fourth scorching canine consuming contest, July 4, 2019 at New York’s Coney Island. (AP Photo/Sarah Stier, File)
Shea mentioned on ABC News’ “Start Here” podcast that the competition will nonetheless occur in Brooklyn, New York, subsequent month.
“Yes, that is the most important day in aggressive consuming,” Shea mentioned. “This is the Masters. The mustard yellow belt is Major League Eating’s inexperienced jacket. There’s no aggressive consuming fan, or I might argue sports activities fan, that will refute that.”
MLE defined Chestnut’s absence from this yr’s occasion.
“We are devastated to study that Joey Chestnut has chosen to signify a rival model that sells plant-based scorching canine relatively than competing within the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” MLE mentioned in a press release.”
MLE mentioned it allowed Chestnut to take part in a rival competitors on Labor Day, which will probably be broadcast on Netflix. Chestnut is reported to have made $200,000 for showing in final yr’s contest and was provided a four-year, $1.2 million deal.
Instead, Chestnut will probably be selling a rival.
“MLE and Nathan’s went to nice lengths to accommodate Joey and his administration staff, agreeing to the looks charge and permitting Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded scorching canine consuming contest on Labor Day,” the league continued.
An individual holds an indication with Joey Chestnut’s face through the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July scorching canine consuming contest at Coney Island on July. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)
FLASHBACK: JOEY CHESTNUT BELIEVES PROTESTER AT LAST YEAR’S CONTEST COST HIM 5 HOT DOGS, MLE PRESIDENT SAYS
“For almost twenty years we now have labored below the identical primary scorching canine exclusivity provisions. However, evidently Joey and his managers have prioritized a brand new partnership with a distinct model over our long-time relationship.
“Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing greater than to have him on the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns when he’s not representing a rival model.”
Chestnut defined he was “gutted” by MLE’s determination.
“I used to be gutted to study from the media that after 19 years Im [sic] banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut wrote. “I like competing in that occasion, I like celebrating America with my followers throughout this nice nation on the 4th and I’ve been coaching to defend my title.
“To set the document straight, I wouldn’t have a contract with MLE or Nathans and so they wish to change the foundations from previous years because it pertains to different companions I can work with. This is outwardly the premise on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impression the July 4th occasion.
Competitive eater Joey Chestnut poses together with his mustard yellow championship belt throughout a sport between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ball State Cardinals at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
“Sadly, that is the choice Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it’ll deprive the nice followers of the vacation’s typical pleasure and leisure. To my followers, I like you and recognize you. Rest assured that you simply’ll see me eat once more quickly!! STAY HUNGRY!”
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Shea advised ABC News that if Chestnut was selling a hamburger, every little thing would have been copacetic.
Impossible Foods later launched a press release.
“We love Joey and help him in any contest he chooses. It’s OK to experiment with a brand new canine. Meat eaters should not should be unique to only one wiener,” the corporate mentioned.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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