Joey Chestnut says he's 'gutted' by Nathan's hot dog eating contest ban

Sixteen-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest winner Joey Chestnut said he's 'gutted' with disappointment on Tuesday night in his first comments since being banned from the contest. 

The Vallejo, Calif. native shared his feelings after he was banned for inking a deal with Impossible Foods, makers of meat substitute products including hot dogs. 

"I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I'm banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest," Chestnut wrote. "I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th (of July) and I have been training to defend my title," Chestnut said in part one of a three-part series of posts on X. 

Major League Eating (MLE), which oversees the contest, said it was 'devasted' to learn of Chestnut's deal with a different hot dog brand. 

"We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand," MLE representatives wrote on Tuesday upon learning of Chestnut's controversial decision. 

"MLE and Nathan's went to great lengths in recent months to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to their appearance fee requests 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 anew partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship." 

The Contest first began in 1972 and Chestnut has won it 16 out of 17 times. Takeru Kobayashi won the event six times in a row from 2001 to 2006 and is second all-time to Chestnut for most titles. 

"Joey Chestnut is an American hero," the MLE added. "We would love nothing more to have him at the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest," they said, adding that he still has the opportunity to choose Nathan's over Impossible. 

Chestnut wrote on his Twitter account that he believes Nathan's is planning to change the rules from past contests. 

"To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan's and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with," Chestnut wrote Tuesday night. "This is apparently the basis on which I'm being banned, and it doesn't impact the July 4th event." 

Chestnut wrapped up his three-tweet sequence with a promise to fans that he will be seen in a contest again some day. He sounded resigned to not participating in this year's contest. 

"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!"