‘Gutted’ Joey Chestnut Breaks Silence On Nathan’s July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest Ban

Joey Chestnut, who was banned from competing in the annual July 4 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest that made him famous, released a statement on his Twitter/X account Tuesday, saying he was “gutted” by the decision.

Read more: Joey Chestnut Banned From Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

The 16-time contest winner said in full: “I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title. To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with.This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event. Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!”

Earlier Tuesday, a spokesperson for Major League Eating released a statement regarding MLE’s decision to ban Chestnut, who has become a staple of the annual eating contest, by virtue of his association with rival brand Impossible Foods.

“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.”

Chestnut’s statement suggests the purported conflict is effectively nonexistent and amounts to a false choice. The 40-year-old from Northern California is fresh off a victory at the Ultimate Bologna Showdown in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 18.

Several brands have sought to capitalize on the rare moment of discontent. MLB‘s Seattle Mariners invited Chestnut to their upcoming “Hot Dogs From Heaven” Promotion at T-Mobile Park, in which hot dogs are parachuted from the upper reaches of the stadium toward waiting fans below:

A Tallahassee, Florida restaurant, Madison Social, invited Chestnut to participate in its own contest instead:

So did the Omaha Storm Chasers, a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Kansas City Royals:

The seemingly united desire to platform Chestnut somewhere — if not Coney Island — speaks to the viral popularity of the most prestigious event on the competitive eating calendar. Whether MLE, Nathan’s, and its most famous contestant can reach an agreement between now and July 4 is almost moot. Chestnut’s annual 15 minutes of fame came a month early.