Joey Chestnut breaks his silence on being 'BANNED' from the July 4th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut has released a statement on social media after he was declared out for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest for this July 4.

Reports indicate that Chestnut was not allowed to compete after taking a sponsorship with Vegan hot dog manufacturer Impossible Foods.

In the statement, Chestnut says that he has been 'banned' from the competition where he became an international name. 

'I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest,' Chestnut said in a post to Twitter.

'I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title.

'To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. 

'This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event.

'Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. 

'To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!'

Chestnut's belief that he's been banned was not what Major League Eating's Richard Shea told NBC News.

'There is no ban. Major League Eating wants him there. The fans want him there. Nathan's wants him there,' Shea said.

'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,' read a statement from Major League Eating (MLE), which sanctions the event. 

'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. 

'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, which he has dominated for years. We hope that he returns when he is not representing a rival brand.'

One source told the New York Post that Chestnut was paid $200,000 to appear at last year's contest, and was even offered a $1.2 million, four-year deal beginning this year.

Ultimately, Chestnut felt compelled to honor his unspecified agreement with Impossible Foods.

Chestnut has been eating competitively since 2005 and has been devouring the competition ever since. He's won this contest a record 16 times and is the reigning champion.

His record of 76 hot dogs eaten at the 2021 Nathan's competition remains the most eaten competitively around the world.