Latest news with #FourthofJulyHotDogEatingContest
Newsweek
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Joey Chestnut Breaks Silence on Deal That Ended July 4 Hot Dog Contest Ban
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Joey Chestnut told USA TODAY on Monday that he was preparing for the "worst" — no pun intended — when the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest rolled around in July. Chestnut, a 16-time champion of the event, did not participate in America's premier food-eating competition in 2024. He was declared ineligible by virtue of a deal he made with Impossible Foods, maker of a plant-based hot dog product. The ban ended Chestnut's 19-year run as the face of the event. (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 Lacking the brevity of Michael Jordan's two-word announcement of his return to the NBA in 1995, Chestnut broke his silence on the resolution of the contractual dispute that led to his one-year absence from the July 4 event. "It almost doesn't feel real yet," Chestnut told USA TODAY Sports. "I was preparing for the worst, but we were able to work it out." Joey Chestnut reacts after winning first place, eating 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes, during the 2022 Nathans Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2022 at Coney Island in... Joey Chestnut reacts after winning first place, eating 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes, during the 2022 Nathans Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2022 at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. MoreAccording to the report from Josh Peter, Chestnut agreed earlier this month to endorse only Nathan's hot dogs as part of a three-year contract with Nathan's and the International Federation of Competitive Eating (which runs the annual competition), but still has a deal with Impossible Foods. Patrick Bertoletti won the main event on the men's side at last year's Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest. He consumed 58 hot dogs to claim the title. Chestnut ate 62 hot dogs to win the event in 2023; his 76 hot dogs in 2021 are the gold standard. I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life. (1/3) — Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 16, 2025 "I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life," Chestnut wrote on Twitter/X Monday. "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. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with. "I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground. I'm excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands! Stay hungry!" Last year, Chestnut consumed a record 83 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in a televised event ("Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef") on Sept. 2. For more sports news, visit Newsweek Sports.
Toronto Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Joey Chestnut makes deal to return to hot dog eating contest after being banned
'This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life,' Competitive eater Joey Chestnut holds a plate of hotdogs representing his world record for eating 76 hotdogs and buns in ten minutes during a weigh-in ceremony before the Nathan's Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest in 2023. AP Photo America's long national nightmare is over and the top dog will be back for his hotdog throne. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Competitive-eating superstar Joey Chestnut has reached an agreement to return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition this year after being banned from the event in 2024. The 16-time champion was forced to miss last year's July 4 tradition after getting into a dispute with Major League Eating over a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods. But after at least a week of talks, the two sides have reached an agreement that will see Jaws return to the event this year on Coney Island, N.Y. 'I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life,' Chestnut wrote in a post on social media on Monday. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life. (1/3) — Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 16, 2025 The dispute between MLE and Chestnut arose from a deal that the American signed with Impossible Foods, which was launching a plant-based, meatless hot dog product. '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. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with,' Chestnut said. 'I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground. I'm excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!' Patrick Bertoletti won last year's event in Chestnut's absence, eating 58 dogs and buns to take the Mustard Belt. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More He'll be in tough to take down the GOAT of competitive eating — Chestnut hasn't eaten fewer than 60 hot dogs at the event since 2010 and holds the record with 76 in 2021. 'The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest stands as an enduring beacon of freedom for our nation and the world,' MLE chair George Shea said in a statement. 'We look forward to watching the greatest eaters as they compete on a celebrated platform for international sports.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Canada
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
Joey Chestnut announces comeback at Nathan's 2025 Hot Dog Eating Contest
Joey Chestnut will return to Coney Island for the 2025 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this Fourth of July. The legendary competitive eater announced Monday in a series of posts on X that he will return to the annual event after he was banned from it last year due to his affiliation with Impossible Foods. "I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest," Chestnut wrote. "This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life." He continued, "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. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with." "I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground," he added. "I'm excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands! Stay hungry!" As ABC News reported previously, Nathan's has long required competitive eaters not to endorse a rival brand if they plan to compete in its annual hot dog eating contest. Chestnut said last year that he was "gutted" over Major League Eating's decision at the time to rule him as ineligible to compete in the 2024 contest, due to his Impossible Foods endorsement. Chestnut, a 16-time winner who had been competing in the contest for nearly two decades when he was rule ineligible, said on X at the time that he loved "celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the fourth," and that he had been training to defend his title. While he wasn't able to compete in last year's Nathan's contest, Chestnut did celebrate the Fourth of July with an independent hot dog eating event in Fort Bliss, Texas. There, he ate 57 hot dogs in five minutes, one shy of Patrick Bertoletti's winning number at Nathan's, where Bertoletti took home his first Mustard Belt for consuming 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Time Out
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Joey Chestnut will make his grand return to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this summer after last year's ban
It's not summer in NYC without Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, which will return to Coney Island for another snappy session of competitive gorging on Friday, July 4 at Nathan's Flagship restaurant (1310 Surf Ave.) on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues. And it's simply not the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut, the famed competitive eater who has taken the title at the annual culinary contest a whopping 16 times. And after a controversial year away from the contest, the frankfurter king will officially try to reclaim his throne this summer. Though the Kentucky native has been a faithful fixture of the Brooklyn-based eating competition for years — he won consecutively from 2007 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2023 — Chestnut was barred from participating in the 2024 edition of the annual contest due to a competing sponsorship with plant-based food company Impossible Foods, a rival to Nathan's Famous. However, per the New York Post, negotiations have seemingly been in place these last few weeks to have Chestnut makes his grand return to the fan-favorite Nathan's event. And the champ himself revealed that those talks were successful: 'I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life,' Chestnut said in an official statement posted to his social media accounts on Monday, June 16. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joey Chestnut (@joeychestnut) '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. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with,' the statement continued. 'I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground. I'm excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!' Outside of last year's victor Patrick Bertoletti — who beat 13 challengers by wolfing down 58 full hot dogs, buns and all, in only 10 minutes — the rest of Nathan's 2025 competitors haven't been announced just yet, but having Joey Chestnut back on the frank-scarfing lineup will surely bring extra attention to the summertime ceremonies. Chestnut holds the all-time men's record for eating the most hot dogs in a 10-minute timeframe: an insane 76 franks in 2021, one more than his 2020 record. Who knows how many tubers he'll clear this year!
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Why was Joey Chestnut banned from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Why was Joey Chestnut banned from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest? Joey Chestnut is NOT banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Richard Shea of @eatingcontest tells @NBCNews. "There is no ban. Major League Eating wants him there. The fans want him there. Nathan's wants him there." — Greg Rosenstein (@grosenstein) June 11, 2024 Joey Chestnut is back in the annual July 4th extravaganza known as the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, announcing his return in a series of posts on social media. "I'm thrilled to be returning to the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It's a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life," he wrote. "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. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with." You may be wondering: why was he banned from last year's contest? Let's dive in: Why was Joey Chestnut banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2024? Let's be clear here: Major League Eating claimed he wasn't banned for life after reports said there was an alleged ban because of his partnership with Impossible Foods as a spokesperson for their vegan hot dogs. But Chestnut complained that MLE was "looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with." So he didn't appear at the 2024 edition of the contest. (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 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 What changed to let Joey Chestnut compete in the 2025 hot dog eating contest? He agreed to a three-contract with Nathan's and the International Federation of Competitive Eating Inc, per USA TODAY Sports. That was an agreement to "endorse only Nathan's hot dogs." How much is Joey Chestnut being paid for that contract? That hasn't been disclosed, but he's also still doing stuff with Impossible Foods.
