Joey Chestnut Banned from Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest
Joey Chestnut's Ban Causes Big Shift in Odds
What is the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut?
Unfortunately, fans of the annual Fourth of July event are about to find out.
The 16-time champion will not participate in this year’s contest due to beef over sponsorship. ESPN first reported Tuesday that Chestnut, the biggest star in competitive eating, had chosen to “represent another hot dog brand,” preventing him a shot at a ninth-straight championship at New York’s Coney Island.
Chestnut, 40, has reportedly agreed to a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a director competitor to Nathan’s that makes plant-based hot dogs.
In a statement on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, Chestnut said he was “gutted” to learn he wouldn’t be able to compete.
“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,” Chestnut wrote.
“… 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!”
Here’s more on Joey Chestnut’s ban.
FREE JOEY CHESTNUT pic.twitter.com/2NXsI8qDeW
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 11, 2024
New Partnership, New Guidelines
What impact does Joey Chestnut’s ban have on the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest? The California-born Chestnut has won the contest every year since 2016. He ate a record 76 hot dogs in 2021, then downed 62 to conquer last year’s competition.
Before Tuesday, Chestnut was paid $200,000 to participate in the 2023 competition and was offered $1.2 million over the next four years to continue competing, according to the New York Post.
Impossible Foods was quick to support Chestnut, saying they’ll back him in “any contest he chooses.” Additionally, they said, “meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener.”
Major League Eating, however, was less forgiving.
“MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths in recent months 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. “For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship.”
And so, in a big blow to entertainment news, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will go on without its most prominent figure.
Shift in Odds Board
Joey Chestnut’s ban has created a big shakeup on the odds board. Chestnut was a resounding betting favorite to win this year’s event, opening with -2000 odds. Conversely, the odds of him failing to extend his record streak were +700. The -2000 odds represented an implied win probability of over 95%.
Sportsbooks also pegged the number of hot dogs consumed by Chestnut at 68.5.
However, following his expulsion from the event, Geoffrey Esper has taken over as a -225 favorite to win. Esper placed second among last year’s Nathan’s hot dog competitors after eating 49 hot dogs.
🌭Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest🌭
📅Date/Time: July 4, 2024, 10 a.m. ET
📍Where: Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, N.Y.
📺How to Watch: ESPN
For Joey Chestnut records, betting odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine
