Nathan’s Bans Top Dog Chestnut From 2024 Hot Dog Eating Contest Due To Promo Deal With Maker Of Veggie Hot Dogs

Joey Chestnut has been banned from the annual July 4th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. The New York Post reports the 16-time winner of the contest won’t be allowed to participate in this year’s event because of deal he signed with vegan food brand Impossible Foods.

Major League Eating says they and Nathan’s recently went to great lengths to reach a deal with Chestnut, including allowing him to compete in a rival hot dog eating contest on Labor Day.

Nathan’s reportedly paid Chestnut 200-thousand dollars for last year’s appearance at the July 4th Coney Island contest, and offered him a four-year contract of 1-point-2 million dollars.

Chestnut won last year’s Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest by downing 62 hot dogs.

He set a world record at the event in 2021 when he ate 76 hot dogs.

Hot Dogs on a hot grill.

Photo from Alpha Media Portland OR