Main League Consuming (MLE) president Richard Shea insisted on Wednesday the present would go on with or with out Joey Chestnut in attendance for the Nathan’s sizzling canine consuming contest on the Fourth of July.
Chestnut, the 16-time champion within the Coney Island spectacle, won’t be competing within the occasion over a problem with contract stipulations. Chestnut just lately signed a sponsorship take care of Not possible Meals, which launched a vegan sizzling canine. MLE guidelines stipulate sizzling canine consuming opponents can not signal with rival manufacturers.
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Joey Chestnut stuffs his mouth with sizzling canine through the males’s competitors of Nathan’s Well-known July Fourth sizzling canine consuming contest, July 4, 2019 at New York’s Coney Island. (AP Picture/Sarah Stier, File)
Shea mentioned on ABC Information’ “Begin Right here” podcast that the competition will nonetheless occur in Brooklyn, New York, subsequent month.
“Sure, that is the largest day in aggressive consuming,” Shea mentioned. “That is the Masters. The mustard yellow belt is Main League Consuming’s inexperienced jacket. There’s no aggressive consuming fan, or I’d argue sports activities fan, that may refute that.”
MLE defined Chestnut’s absence from this yr’s occasion.
“We’re devastated to be taught that Joey Chestnut has chosen to signify a rival model that sells plant-based sizzling canine reasonably than competing within the 2024 Nathan’s Well-known Fourth of July Scorching Canine Consuming Contest,” MLE mentioned in an announcement.”
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 supplied a four-year, $1.2 million deal.
As an alternative, Chestnut will probably be selling a rival.
“MLE and Nathan’s went to nice lengths to accommodate Joey and his administration crew, agreeing to the looks price and permitting Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded sizzling canine consuming contest on Labor Day,” the league continued.
An individual holds an indication with Joey Chestnut’s face through the 2023 Nathan’s Well-known Fourth of July sizzling canine consuming contest at Coney Island on July. 4, 2023. (AP Picture/Yuki Iwamura, File)
FLASHBACK: JOEY CHESTNUT BELIEVES PROTESTER AT LAST YEAR’S CONTEST COST HIM 5 HOT DOGS, MLE PRESIDENT SAYS
“For practically 20 years we’ve labored below the identical primary sizzling canine exclusivity provisions. Nonetheless, plainly Joey and his managers have prioritized a brand new partnership with a special model over our long-time relationship.
“Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We might love nothing greater than to have him on the Nathan’s Well-known Worldwide Scorching Canine Consuming Contest. We hope he returns when he’s not representing a rival model.”
Chestnut defined he was “gutted” by MLE’s resolution.
“I used to be gutted to be taught from the media that after 19 years Im [sic] banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Scorching Canine Consuming 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 file straight, I wouldn’t have a contract with MLE or Nathans they usually need to change the foundations from previous years because it pertains to different companions I can work with. That is apparently the premise on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t influence the July 4th occasion.
Aggressive eater Joey Chestnut poses together with his mustard yellow championship belt throughout a recreation between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ball State Cardinals at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 9, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Brandon Sloter/Picture Of Sport/Getty Pictures)
“Sadly, that is the choice Nathan’s and Main League Consuming are making, and it’ll deprive the good followers of the vacation’s common pleasure and leisure. To my followers, I like you and recognize you. Relaxation assured that you simply’ll see me eat once more quickly!! STAY HUNGRY!”
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Shea advised ABC Information that if Chestnut was selling a hamburger, every part would have been copacetic.
Fox Information’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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