(11 Jun 2024)
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: New York – 3 July 2023
1. Various of record-holder Joey Chestnut holding a tray with hot dogs
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: New York – 4 July 2022
2. Various of Chestnut eating hot dogs during competition
3. Various of attendees
4. Various of Chestnut eating hot dogs during competition
5. Chestnut on stage being named the winner
6. Wide of Chestnut on a platform waving his fists
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: New York – 3 July 2018
7. Joey Chestnut poses with a plate of hot dogs
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ARCHIVE: New York – 4 July 2019
8. Chestnut eating hot dogs during competition
9. Chestnut on stage at end of competition
STORYLINE:
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.”
Shea says Chestnut struck a deal with a competing brand — a red line for the Nathan’s-sponsored event — but did not elaborate. He said the dispute came down to exclusivity, not money.
“It would be like Michael Jordan saying to Nike, ‘I’m going to represent Adidas, too,’” Shea said.
Chestnut did not immediately respond to a request for comment made through his website.
Chestnut has long dominated the competition.
Those vying for second place in the past might have renewed hope to swallow their way to first place this year, including international competitors on the eating circuit.
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