Bay Area's Joey Chestnut to return to July 4 hot dog contest after contract clash
Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut, the Bay Area's reigning titan of competitive eating, will return to Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest after missing last year's event due to a contract dispute.
'This event means the world to me,' Chestnut, 41, said via X on Monday, June 16. 'It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.'
Chestnut, who hails from Vallejo and now lives in San Jose, has won the Coney Island contest 16 times and holds the world record of 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
His absence in 2024 — after partnering with plant-based meat brand Impossible Foods — sent shockwaves through the world of competitive eating. Organizers had said the endorsement deal conflicted with Nathan's exclusivity rules.
Chestnut, however, said he never promoted vegan hot dogs and clarified that Nathan's is the only hot dog brand he endorses.
'While I have and 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,' he wrote in a thread on X. 'To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with.'
Major League Eating President Richard Shea said he's happy to put the past behind them.
'I think it's the return of the greatest competitive eater of all time to the biggest competitive eating event of all time. So I don't think it gets much bigger in any sport,' Shea told the Associated Press. 'I mean, this guy is the greatest performer we've ever seen in Coney Island and in competitive eating.'
Chestnut, who spent last Fourth of July competing at Fort Bliss in Texas, said fans consistently urged him to return despite facing off against his biggest rival, six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi, in 'Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef' on a live Netflix special.
He's already deep into training for this year's event.
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