The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest hasn’t been the same without its biggest star.
Fans have been waiting for this moment since last year’s controversy.
And Joey Chestnut got one piece of news that will make the Fourth of July great again.
Joey Chestnut could be heading back to Coney Island
Last year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest felt like watching the Super Bowl without Tom Brady.
The world’s greatest competitive eater was banned from the annual Fourth of July spectacle over a sponsorship dispute that left fans stunned.
Joey Chestnut had dominated the contest for over a decade, winning 16 of his 17 appearances and setting records that seemed untouchable.
But Major League Eating showed him the door when he signed a deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat company.
Major League Eating claimed Chestnut had chosen to represent a competitor rather than participate in their event.
Chestnut fired back, saying the organization was “moving the goalposts” since he never had an official contract with Nathan’s or MLE.
The fallout left the 2024 contest without its biggest draw.
Patrick Bertoletti won by consuming 58 hot dogs, but even he admitted his victory came with an asterisk.
“It’s not the same without Joey,” fans complained across social media as television ratings took a nosedive.
The negotiations that could change everything
According to TMZ Sports, both sides are actively negotiating to bring the 16-time champion back to Coney Island.
Sources tell TMZ Sports that “both sides want to get it done.”
The original dispute over Chestnut’s Impossible Foods sponsorship is reportedly no longer blocking discussions.
This news has competitive eating fans buzzing with excitement about a potential return.
Chestnut proved he hadn’t lost a step when he demolished longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a Netflix showdown on Labor Day 2024.
The 40-year-old set a new world record by consuming 83 hot dogs in the head-to-head battle.
Kobayashi managed 66 hot dogs but was thoroughly outclassed by the American eating machine.
Why Joey Chestnut’s return matters
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a Fourth of July tradition since 1972.
But it reached new heights of popularity during Chestnut’s incredible run of dominance.
His rivalry with Kobayashi captivated audiences and turned competitive eating into must-see television.
Chestnut’s absence last year reminded everyone just how much star power matters in sports entertainment.
The contest felt hollow without its greatest champion standing behind the table.
ESPN’s broadcast ratings reflected what fans already knew – the event needs Joey Chestnut to maintain its relevance.
His return would instantly restore the contest’s credibility and excitement.
The stakes couldn’t be higher
Major League Eating knows they made a mistake by letting their biggest star walk away.
The organization built their entire marketing strategy around Chestnut’s incredible abilities and larger-than-life personality.
Without him, they’re left with a watered-down version of what made the contest special.
Chestnut holds over 55 world records across different food categories, but hot dogs remain his signature achievement.
His personal best of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes stood as the world record until he obliterated it by consuming 83 hot dogs during his Netflix showdown with Kobayashi.
Fans have been calling for his return since the moment he was banned.
The return of the champion
The Fourth of July should have the country’s greatest competitive eater representing the red, white, and blue.
Joey Chestnut embodies the spirit of American competition and the pursuit of excellence.
His dominance at the Nathan’s contest became as much a part of Independence Day as fireworks and barbecues.
If negotiations succeed, July 4th will once again feature the spectacle that made the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest appointment television.
Chestnut’s return would cap off one of the most dramatic comeback stories in competitive eating history.
The man who was cast aside over corporate politics could reclaim his throne on America’s biggest stage.
Fans across the country are holding their breath, hoping common sense prevails and their champion returns to Coney Island.
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest needs Joey Chestnut more than he needs them.
But America’s greatest competitive eater might just be generous enough to give the contest its credibility back.