The Fourth of July on Coney Island could look much different this year.
The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest will be still held as scheduled. But will the face of the event be present? On Tuesday, it was reported that Joey Chestnut is banned from competing, according to the New York Post.
However, conflicting reports came out later in the day, leaving fans confused as to whether or not the great will be in Coney Island for the annual tradition.
Few competitions have been dominated by one person as much as the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest has been dominated by Chestnut. The champion eater has won 16 of the last 17 Nathan's contests, including the last eight. Barring a shift in plans, that streak will end on July 4.
Here's what you need to know about the reason behind Chestnut's ouster from the competition.
Is Joey Chestnut banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
It's currently not 100% clear either way if Chestnut is banned from the event or not.
The New York Post reported that Chestnut has been banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest over a sponsorship dispute. The 16-time champion and record-setter recently agreed to a deal to promote Impossible Foods, which launched a vegan hot dog.
While Nathan's was still willing to let Chestnut compete even after he agreed to participate in a separate hot dog eating contest on Labor Day, the company would not allow Chestnut to promote a different hot dog brand.
"Major League Eating and Nathan's went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day," MLE said in a statement, explaining that both are "devastated" Chestnut decided to "represent a rival brand" instead.
MLE offered Chestnut a new four-year, $1.2 million contract to try to lure him back, the New York Post reported. Chestnut made $200,000 for the event in 2023.
Both MLE and Nathan's added that they would welcome Chestnut back in the future if he agreed to their conditions.
However, a few hours laters, it was reported that there was no such ban in place by the MLE, according to NBC News. Richard Shea of MLE told NBC News' Greg Rosenstein that the organization "wants" him at the event.
"There is no ban," Shea said. "Major League Eating wants him there. The fans want him there. Nathan's wants him there."
Chestnut released a three-part statement on X, learning of his ban through the media.
"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," Chestnut said. "This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned."
(1/3)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.
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
(2/3)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.
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
(3/3) 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!
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
Chestnut said he had been training to defend his title and the ban will "deprive the great fans of the holiday's usual joy and entertainment."
How old is Joey Chestnut?
Chestnut is 40 years old. He's set to turn 41 in November.
While Chestnut might be older than much of his competition at the Hot Dog Eating Contest by this point, he hasn't slowed down too much. He broke his own world record by downing 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2021 before successfully defending his title in 2022 and 2023.
Chestnut did drop to 63 hot dogs in 2022 and 62 last year, but he remained safely ahead of the competition. Age couldn't knock Chestnut off the mountaintop, but a business decision evidently will.
Joey Chestnut net worth
Chestnut told USA Today in 2023 that his net worth was $4 million, with $500,000 in earnings from 2022 alone. Much of that came from endorsement deals rather than winnings, as the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest only pays $10,000 to the winner despite its popularity.
Money now appears to be the central factor in Chestnut's exit from the contest. It isn't known how much Chestnut is making as part of his deal with Impossible Foods, but it was enough for him to turn down a $300,000 annual deal from Major League Eating.
What is Impossible Foods?
The news of Chestnut's absence from the July 4 contest is putting the spotlight on Impossible Foods, which has a sponsorship deal with the competitive eater.
Impossible Foods produces the Impossible Burger, a meatless alternative to a typical hamburger. Chestnut is promoting the company's vegan hot dogs, as one might expect.
If you haven't heard of Impossible Foods, you've likely heard of one of their products. They partnered with Burger King to produce the Impossible Whopper. Burger King introduced the vegan Whopper in 2019, and it remains a staple of the fast food chain's menu.