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'IT'S DEVASTATING'
Joey Chestnut’s new hot dog endorsement ‘like MJ representing Nike and Adidas,’ says Nathan’s Fourth of July contest MC
Plus, the 16-time champion has broken his silence over his beef with Major League Eating
NATHAN'S Hot Dog Eating Contest organizer George Shea says he is devastated that Joey Chestnut is not taking part in the Fourth of July event this year.
Shea, who is also MC of the iconic annual competition, is reeling from Chestnut's shock decision to sign a sponsorship deal with a rival hot dog brand.
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But the Major League Eating co-founder and chairman remains hopeful that he can still secure an agreement with Chestnut for the 16-time champion to take part in the contest.
"I think it's devastating for fans [if Chestnut does not take part]," Shea told The U.S. Sun.
"He's become the face of the Fourth of July.
"It's devastating for me personally and this is not what we wanted.
Read more on Joey Chestnut
"We are proud to know Joey. We love him.
"But we didn't do this."
Chestnut has signed a sponsorship deal with plant-based meat company Impossible Foods, which recently released its own line of vegan hot dogs.
And Major League Eating has told the 40-year-old in no uncertain terms that he cannot take part in the Nathan's-branded event while he is representing another hot dog company.
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Talks are ongoing between the two parties to resolve the sponsorship conflict.
But at this stage it appears that Chestnut will not take part in an event from which he has made his fame and fortune.
Joey Chestnut reveals new career ventures outside of hot dog eating fame including pistachio commercial and Japan project
"The conflict of representing a rival brand became an issue," Shea added.
"I don't know where he'd represent them, it might be on social media.
"This would be like Michael Jordan coming to Nike and saying, 'The Air Jordan stuff is doing great, I'm very happy but I'm also going to represent Adidas'."
When asked why Chestnut would sign a deal with a rival company, Shea responded, "I don't know. I don't know."
Shea is somewhat concerned about how Chestnut's likely no-show will affect this year's hot dog eating contest.
"People are going to be very frustrated over this but I would say I feel the same way they do," Shea said.
"We want him there – we didn't want this to happen.
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"I did know it would be big news and I did know that people would be very frustrated over it and that it would cause a lot of turmoil.
"The Fourth of July with Nathan's is an institution and Joey is part of it."
Chestnut, for his part, released a statement on social media about his new sponsorship deal.
"I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I'm banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest," he said.
"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."
But Shea has rejected Chestnut's claims.
What's the beef?
Joey Chestnut will not be allowed to compete in this year's Hot Dog Eating Contest because of a new sponsorship.
Chestnut has won 16 Fourth of July contests and in 2021 are 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
The hot dog eating competition is run by Major League Eating and sponsored by Nathan's - a famous wiener brand.
And Chestnut has signed a deal with plant-based Impossible Foods.
That makes it impossible for him to now compete in the Nathan's contest, unless something changes.
Chestnut said he was 'gutted' by the news he won't be allowed to defend his title.
"The exclusively parts of it are baked-in, this is nothing new," he said.
Chestnut received $200,000 to take part in the 2023 hot dog eating competition and he was offered a 4-year, $1.2 million deal, according to the New York Post.
It is unclear how much he has been paid by Impossible Foods.
"We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses. It's OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn't have to be exclusive to just one wiener," Impossible Foods said in a statement.
In a separate issue, Chestnut is taking part in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.
The contest in question will reportedly be filmed by Netflix.
Read More on The US Sun
And Major League Eating has allowed Chestnut to take part in this event to try to appease him.
"Many people would think that is a conflict as that is a take on the Nathan's contest but we accommodate him because we want him there," Shea added.