NY Post – Joey Chestnut, the perennial champion of the annual July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition, is out of this year’s event due to a deal he made to represent a different hot dog brand, The Post has learned.

And not just any brand, but Impossible Foods, which recently introduced a vegan hot dog made from plants.

A source revealed that Chestnut was paid $200,000 to participate in last year’s Nathan’s contest and was offered a $1.2 million, four-year contract going forward.

MLE stated: “We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs instead of competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.

“MLE 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.”