Joey Chestnut not competing at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in fight over vegan dogs

The Nathan's Fourth of July hot canine eating contest nary longer cuts the mustard for all-time eating large Joey Chestnut.

The 16-time victor of the contest, including each twelvemonth since 2016, volition not beryllium competing astatine this year's contest, according to Major League Eating. And it's each implicit his determination to endorse vegan blistery dogs alternatively of Nathan's.

"We are devastated to larn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to correspond a rival marque that sells plant-based blistery dogs alternatively than competing successful the 2024 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest," Major League Eating said successful a statement.

Nathan's, the venerable Coney Island blistery canine brand, has agelong required eaters not to endorse a rival marque if they are going to vie successful the country's astir celebrated eating contest.

"MLE and Nathan's went to large lengths successful caller months to accommodate Joey and his absorption team, agreeing to the quality interest and allowing Joey to vie successful a rival unbranded blistery canine eating contention connected Labor Day," Major League Eating said successful a statement. "For astir 2 decades we person worked nether the aforesaid basal blistery canine exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers person prioritized a caller concern with a antithetic blistery canine marque implicit our long-time relationship."

Chestnut is endorsing the Impossible brand, the fashionable purveyor of vegan burgers, blistery dogs and sausages, according to the New York Post, which was archetypal to study the quality of Chestnut not competing.

Chestnut, 40, won the contention each twelvemonth from 2007 to 2014 and past each twelvemonth from 2016 to 2023. Matt Stone won the contention successful 2015, eating 62 dogs to Chestnut's 60.

Chestnut inactive holds the record for astir blistery dogs -- and buns -- consumed successful 10 minutes with 76 eaten successful 2021.

Major League Eating said it volition inactive instrumentality backmost the blistery canine eating champ -- if helium drops his different endorsement deal.

"Joey Chestnut is an American hero," the league said. "We would emotion thing much than to person him astatine the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which helium has dominated for years. We anticipation that helium returns erstwhile helium is not representing a rival brand."

The Nathan's contention has been held each Fourth of July since 1979.

ABC News' Alex Faul contributed to this report.