16-Time Winner Joey Chestnut Banned from 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Over Vegan Deal

Jun 11, 2024, 07:06 PM

Joey Chestnut, the 16-time winner of Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, has been banned from the 2024 event. The ban follows Chestnut's decision to sign a four-year, $1.2 million endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a vegan food company. Chestnut, who received a $200,000 appearance fee for last year's contest, has won the Nathan's contest every year since 2016, including eight straight contests. Major League Eating, the organization behind the contest, expressed disappointment over Chestnut's decision but hopes he will return in the future when he is not representing a rival brand.