Hot Dog Eating Champ Joey Chestnut Blocked from Nathan's Contest Over Vegan Sponsorship

In a surprising turn of events, competitive eating legend Joey "Jaws" Chestnut has been barred from participating in the iconic Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. The reason? Chestnut's new sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a leading manufacturer of plant-based meat alternatives.

The news came as a shock to Chestnut's legions of fans, who have watched the 40-year-old champion dominate the Nathan's contest for over 15 years. Chestnut holds the world record for hot dog eating, having scarfed down an astonishing 76 hot dogs (and buns) in just 10 minutes at the 2021 competition.

However, Major League Eating (MLE), the organization that oversees the Nathan's contest, made it clear that Chestnut's partnership with Impossible Foods, a competitor to the Nathan's brand, was unacceptable. In a statement, MLE said they were "devastated" to learn of Chestnut's decision, but that he would only be allowed to return to the competition if he dropped the vegan sponsorship.

"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," the statement read. "We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand."

Chestnut expressed his disappointment at the decision, taking to social media to say he was "gutted" at being barred from defending his title. He clarified that he does not have a formal contract with MLE or Nathan's, and that the organizers were trying to change the rules around outside partnerships.

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest has a long and storied history, dating back to 1916 when Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker opened his famous hot dog stand on Coney Island. The contest itself was supposedly started the same year by a group of European immigrants arguing over who was the most American.

While the true origins of the contest remain shrouded in mystery, it has since become one of the most iconic and widely-watched competitive eating events in the world. Held annually on the Fourth of July, the contest attracts crowds of up to 40,000 people and is televised nationally in the United States.

Chestnut's absence from the 2024 edition will undoubtedly be a huge disappointment for fans, who have come to expect his dominance year after year. However, the decision by MLE and Nathan's to enforce their exclusivity rules highlights the high-stakes commercial interests at play in the world of competitive eating.

As the plant-based meat industry continues to grow and challenge traditional food brands, it remains to be seen whether Chestnut will be able to find a way to continue his reign as hot dog eating champion while also honoring his new sponsorship deal. In the meantime, the 2024 Nathan's contest is sure to be an event worth watching, even without its longtime champion in the mix.

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