Joey Chestnut’s Nathan’s Hot Dog July 4th Eating Contest Exit Explained

Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the renowned hot dog-eating champion, will not be competing in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest, according to event organizers.

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Departure of a Legend

Chestnut, 40, has been a dominant figure in the competition, winning the Mustard Belt nearly every year since his debut in 2005, except for a rare defeat in 2015. His 2021 record of consuming 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes remains unbeaten. However, George Shea of Major League Eating (MLE) announced Chestnut’s departure due to a contractual disagreement.

Conflict and Controversy

Chestnut contested the decision, stating on social media platform X that he did not have a current contract with MLE or Nathan’s and that changes in the rules regarding his other partnerships led to his exclusion. He expressed disappointment, saying, “I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I’m banned," but assured fans he would return to competitive eating soon.

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New Ventures

The crux of the dispute lies in Chestnut’s new deal with a competing brand, reportedly Impossible Foods, which creates vegan sausages. Although Impossible Foods did not confirm the partnership, they expressed support for Chestnut’s choices. Shea emphasized that the issue was about brand exclusivity, likening it to Michael Jordan switching from Nike to Adidas.

Looking Ahead

As Chestnut steps away, other competitors see an opportunity to claim the title. Last year’s second-place finisher, Geoffrey Esper from Massachusetts, and third-place winner, Australia’s James Webb, may now have a better shot at victory.

Historical Context

This isn’t the first high-profile departure from the contest. In 2010, Japanese champion Takeru Kobayashi also left due to a contract dispute and made a dramatic appearance in protest, leading to his arrest. Kobayashi retired from competitive eating last month.

Fans will gather once again at Coney Island, but this year, the competition will miss one of its greatest stars.