Ever since Matt Stonie defeated him in the 2015 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut has been the unbeatable champion.
However, Chestnut’s connection to “Impossible” is taking on new significance in front of the 2024 hot dog eating competition. Furthermore, it might prevent the 16-time hot dog contest champion from taking part in the occasion for the first time in almost 20 years.
Prior to the summer of 2024, Chestnut consented to a sponsorship agreement with Impossible Foods in order to promote the company’s new vegan hot dog. The top dog in competitive eating is now in hot water because Chestnut’s promotion of a competing brand reportedly angered Major League Eating and Nathan’s.
To his dismay, Chestnut might be sidelined on July 4th due to that sponsorship agreement. Even though a last-minute agreement might be made to let him compete, it seems like Impossible Foods will end his second, eight-year reign as the sport’s greatest competitor.
Here are some facts regarding Impossible Foods, Chestnut’s experience with them, and the reasons he might not be able to compete in MLE’s major competition in 2024.
What is Impossible Foods?
Based on “eliminating the need to make food from animals,” Impossible Foods is a sustainable food firm, according to their website.
Impossible Foods aims to “make the global food system truly sustainable” by developing plant-based animal substitutes.
Why?
“Animal agriculture uses a tremendous amount of the world’s natural resources,” the business states.
The Impossible Burger Made From Plants, Impossible Foods’ debut product, was released in 2016. Since then, it has experimented with several plant- and protein-based substitutes for beef, pork, sausage, and chicken.
In 2022, the business calculated that the production of Impossible beef required 91 percent less emissions, 96 percent less land, and 92 percent less water than the production of conventional cattle. With pig and chicken, it wasn’t quite as successful, but there were still noticeable variations in the amount of resources used.
Why is Joey Chestnut banned from hot dog eating contest?
Joey Chestnut’s recent sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods prevents him from competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Chestnut has inked a deal with Impossible Foods to endorse their goods. It made sense for the sustainable food firm to get Chestnut on board to market the Impossible hot dog, which it recently produced and introduced.
That, however, was a problem for Chestnut in the hot dog eating competition because Major League Eating and Nathan’s wouldn’t let him participate and promote a competitor brand.
“Major League Eating and Nathan’s went to great lengths 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,” the statement read. It was also said by the two parties that they are “devastated” that Chestnut chose to “represent a rival brand” rather than Nathan’s.
MLE is still hopeful that they can work out a deal with Chestnut so that he can participate in the July 4 competition. They are hesitant to refer to the conflict as a ban because of this.
Richard Shea of MLE stated, “There is no ban.” Major League Eating desires his presence there. The supporters desire his presence. Nathan desires that he be there.
That might be the case, but unless they sign a deal with the 16-time champion, they won’t be allowed to have Chestnut there. As Chestnut disclosed on X, the parties do not yet have one in place (previously Twitter).
“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 with,” Chestnut stated. “This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned.”
Therefore, it appears that Chestnut’s agreement with Impossible Foods will prevent him from competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, unless both parties agree to a last-minute contract concession.
Is Joey Chestnut a vegan?
Although Impossible Foods produces vegan goods, Joey Chestnut is not a vegan. As has been his custom since 2005, he was preparing to consume hundreds of Nathan’s hot dogs at the hot dog eating competition. He still consumes meat.
Here’s a close-up of him gorging on chicken wings at the 2023 U.S. wing-eating championship in Buffalo back in September, in case you needed more evidence.
Joey Chestnut contract details
The specifics of Chestnut’s deal with Impossible Foods are still unknown, but according to the New York Post, Major League Eating extended an offer to him to continue competing in the Nathan’s competition for a four-year contract worth $1.2 million.
For his participation in the 2023 hot dog eating competition, Chestnut was previously paid $200,000; hence, his new contract with MLE would represent a considerable increase.
Nevertheless, it’s unclear if the MLE contract contained any other clauses or if it was only for Nathan’s battle.