Joey Chestnut banned from competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest due to a sponsor conflict

NEW YORK, (KION-TV)- An American icon will not be getting a chance to win his 17th Mustard Belt on the Fourth of July.

Joey Chestnut will not be allowed to compete in this year's Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Contest due to a sponsor conflict.

Chestnut who has won the event for eight years in a row reportedly agreed to a sponsorship deal with a rival company Impossible Foods which makes plant-based hot dogs.

Major League Eating said in a statement saying they went out of their way to accommodate Chestnut.

"MLE and Nathan's went to great lengths in recent months 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.

For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship."

“Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.”

Major League Eating said in a statement

The 40-year-old Vallejo native won the contest from 2007 to 2014 and 2016 to 2023. San Jose native Matt Stonie took the belt in 2015 eating 62 hot dogs and buns.

The famed hot dog eating contest has taken place on Coney Island since 1979.