Dog fight! Joey Chestnut out of July 4 hot dog eating contest due to deal with rival brand
Organizers of America’s perennial July Fourth hot dog swallowing contest say the reigning champion won’t compete this year due to a contract dispute
By Cedar Attanasio
Published - Jun 11, 2024, 04:30 PM ET
Last Updated - Jun 11, 2024, 04:30 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — America’s perennial hot dog swallowing champion won’t compete in this year’s Independence Day competition due to a contract dispute, organizers said Tuesday.
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, 40, has been competing since 2005 and hasn’t lost since 2015. At last year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest he downed 62 franks and buns in 10 minutes.
But Major League Eating event organizer George Shea says Chestnut is moving away from the contest due to a contract dispute.
“We love him, the fans love him,” Shea said, adding that “He made the choice.”
