Who is Joey Chestnut and why couldn’t he participate in Nathan’s 4th of July hot dog eating competition in 2024?

The United States boasts a fascinating array of traditions, one of which is the beloved annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest held each year on the Fourth of July at Coney Island. The competition is sponsored by Nathan’s Famous, a hot dog producer, and the event forms part of the company’s marketing strategy.

This year, Kentucky native Joey Chestnut returns to the competition after being barred from participating last year.

Chestnut has established himself as the uncontested champion by securing victory 16 times. By winning the competition a total of 16 times, Chestnut has amassed a fortune of $4 million, according to figures from USA Today. He has earned the money through his victories and the sponsorships that have come with them.

Why didn’t Joey Chestnut participate in 2024?

Despite being the undisputed winner of the contest, Chestnut was left out of last year’s competition after signing an agreement with Impossible Foods. The company had recently launched a plant-based sausage and was therefore listed as one of Nathan’s competitors, the organizer and creator of the popular contest.

“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,” a representative from Major League Eating (MLE) noted for the New York Post.

The two sides were unable to reach an agreement in 2024, but that changed this year. Joey Chestnut has been allowed to return, with the champion eater explaining that plans to continue “to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs.” To avoid any confusion, Chestnut reiterated that “Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.”

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