• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 6, 2025

Meatless Makeover: Joey Chestnut Is Out of Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest

  • The champion eater won’t go for his 17th Nathan’s hot dog victory this July.
  • He’s banned from the event over his partnership deal with Impossible Foods.
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

America’s classic Fourth of July tradition, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, will look unrecognizable this year without its superstar Joey Chestnut. And a business decision is to blame.

Chestnut’s partnership with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based meat alternatives to burgers and hot dogs, is what’s blocking him out of the event, according to the New York Post. Major League Eating said a Labor Day competition on Netflix with no brand promotion was offered, but the Nathan’s competition has had the same “basic hot dog exclusivity provisions” for nearly 20 years.

“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. “MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.”

The Post reports that Chestnut made $200,000 competing in last year’s contest, and was offered a $1.2 million contract to stick around for the next four years. Whatever Impossible offered ultimately was more enticing.

An Accomplished Eater

Chestnut, 40, is the star of the competitive eating world, and has won 16 Nathan’s competitions while gaining national acclaim. He holds the world record for eating 76 dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2021, and has won the Fourth of July competition every year since ’16. In ’23, he sailed to victory with 62 dogs.

MLE’s own website calls him the “greatest eater in history.” 

“Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand,” MLE said.

MLE and Chestnut did not immediately respond to Front Office Sports’ requests for comment.

Chestnut’s biggest rival, Takeru Kobayashi, won six straight Nathan’s contests before also dropping out due to business quarrels with MLE. He hasn’t entered the competition since 2009 because he refused to sign an exclusive deal with the organization. Kobayashi retired in May, saying: “I no longer feel hunger.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) dribbles the ball against New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones (35) during game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.

A’ja Wilson’s Star Continues to Rise With Release of Nike Shoe

Shoe deals have picked up alongside growing popularity of the WNBA.
Feb 3, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Super Bowl LIX signage at the Hyatt Hotel.

New Orleans Home Rentals Skyrocket Around Super Bowl

Short-term rental revenue has already reached $10.5 million.
Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; NBA TV analyst Charles Barkley talks on set before game three of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

Charles Barkley Will Deny NBC, Amazon Offers to Stick With Turner

Barkley has repeatedly flip-flopped in his career plans in recent years.
Feb 2, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars (7) carries the ball against NFC return specialist KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys (9) during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium.

NFL Pro Bowl Ratings Drop Again Despite Flag Football Push

ABC, ESPN, and Disney XD drew 4.7 million viewers for Sunday’s simulcast.

Featured Today

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
Feb 3, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears mascot dances on the court during a stoppage in play in the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion.
January 31, 2025

The Toll of Bicoastal Travel on New ACC Members Cal and Stanford

Cal and Stanford face missed flights, chaotic sleep schedules, and academic demands.
January 28, 2025

It’s Starting to Pay to Be Good at Cornhole

American Cornhole League players made $7.7 million in 2024.
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) talk after playing at Acrisure Stadium.

Myles Garrett Seeks Trade Ahead of Massive Extension Coming

The Browns star asked for a trade Monday after a 3–14 season in Cleveland.
January 31, 2025

NBA’s Bet on Victor Wembanyama Validated by Early All-Star Selection

Wembanyama is in his second season.
Doncic and Davis
February 2, 2025

Mavs, Lakers Swap Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis in League-Shaking Deal

Other picks and players are on the move in the seismic deal.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) plays a ground ball off the bat of Pittsburgh Pirates second base Nick Yorke (38) in the second inning of the MLB National League Game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. The Pirates led 1-0 after four innings.
January 30, 2025

MLB Betting on Elly De La Cruz As a Future Face of..

The 23-year-old phenom is featured in two new marketing campaigns.
Jan 30, 2025; Washington D.C., USA; An Alexandria Fire Department crew departs the Metropolitan Police Department Harbor Patrol facility on its way to the site of the crash between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, VA., on Jan. 29, 2025..
January 30, 2025

U.S., Russian Figure Skaters Killed in Washington Plane Crash

The skaters were returning to Washington from a camp in Kansas. 
January 29, 2025

Neymar’s Saudi Stint Is Over: 1 Goal, 7 Games, More Than $200..

He tore his ACL and injured his hamstring while on Al Hilal.