The hot dog eating competitions are now in competition with each other. Hot off the news that hottest dog Joey Chestnut would be barred from the annual 4th of July contest at Coney Island, Netflix has announced that they’re hosting their own contest. And this one has lured competitive eating champ Takeru Kobayashi out of retirement. Here’s everything we know about this all-beef, uhhh, feud.
Nathan’s Says Chestnut is Impossible
On June 11, news broke that Joey Chestnut would be barred from competing in this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. The annual event is held at Coney Island and broadcast on ESPN, but this year the world’s biggest name in big eating will be absent. Why? Brand loyalty, or the lack thereof. Major League Eating said Chestnut was ineligible to compete this year due to a deal he made to become a spokesmouth for Impossible Foods. This gets in the way of brand exclusivity rules attached to the Nathan’s contest. “We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,†Major League Eating said in a statement.
Chestnut and Impossible Foods both clapped back to Major League Eating’s spin on events. Chestnut framed the dispute as MLE and Nathan’s “are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with†on Twitter. Impossible Foods added that “We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses. It’s OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener.†Okay, someone’s been reading Polysecure!
@jamieloftus8 I wrote the book about hot dogs, here’s whats happening with Joey Chestnut #joeychestnut #hotdog #booktok #food
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The nation’s leading hot dog scholar Jamie Loftus went on TikTok to explain in more depth the long game of MLE and Chestnut. “Take with a grain of salt any story you read about Major League Eating,†she said. “They are a very theatrical organization.†Loftus says the Nathan’s competition looks like WWE more than anything else. So this could all be kayfabe. Secondly, Loftus pointed out that this issue of sponsor exclusivity is part of why Kobayashi left MLE a decade ago. (The other big reason was racism.) Which brings us to…
Netflix Throws a Hot Dog Alternaprom
On June 12, Netflix announced that they would be throwing their own hot dog eating contest. This one will also take place on an American cookout-heavy holiday (Labor Day), and will be streamed live. “Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time,†said Kobayashi. “This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans all over the world can watch me knock him out.†Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef will air September 2, using the livestreaming tech honed by six nights of Everybody’s in LA. Maybe John Mulaney can host.