Whole new worlds are opening up for a living-legend competitive eater. And he has a spat with Major League Eating (MLE) to thank for it. Joey Chestnut has branched out to wings from his traditional ‘hot dog’ identity for his latest stomach stuffing stunt…
Sometimes I post on a topic just for fun. And that’s what I’m doing today. So I’d appreciate it if y’all just play along with me.
Disclaimer: I’ll admit it. I’ve have had a sort of culinary crush on Joey Chestnut since I first heard of him, crushing record after record at the Nathan’s Famous 4th of July Hot Dog eating Contest. And I’m even more entranced by his boyish grin than ever since he was martyred on a political cross by MLE.
What happened?
Joey had the effrontery to do a deal with a non-MLE-sanctioned sponsor. He innocently signed a promo agreement with Impossible Foods – makers of plant-based hot dogs. The MLE declared it a conflict with its league representation deal as it pertained to Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs of Coney Island.
On one level, it’s not a conflict at all. Nathan’s makes all-beef dogs. But, as far as MLE is concerned, a dog is a dog. Joey was banned from the Nathan’s competition. And, we assume, from all other MLE events.
Silver lining
Joey must be living right, though. The Nathan’s cloud appears to have had a silver lining. He starred in an ‘alternate’ July 4th hot dog eating contest at a US Army base in Texas, where he raised $160,000 for charity. And he’s just headlined the launch of a summer menu promotion for Buffalo Wild Wings.
Joey gobbled 200 BWWs in 37 minutes and 47 seconds to spotlight the summer All You Can Eat deal.
Sister Erin is a self-proclaimed wing addict. When I shared the news, her eyes bulged, she placed a spread-fingered hand gingerly on her skinny tum-tum – and said, “Ouch!”
Nevertheless…
Any remorse or sense of loss Joey may have felt on being banned from the Nathan’s contest must by now have evaporated in the parting mists revealing a glowing future.
He’s entering a new, golden phase of his career, built on the foundation of – but no longer constrain-ed by – his Nathan’s/MLE period. The past, as they say, is but prologue for him.
He’s now like other pro sports giants who look back fondly and recall how they made 10 times as much as their salaries in a given year on sponsorship and promo deals. And he stands to experience a broader, richer, longer ‘professional’ life as well.
Bravo, Joey!
At age 40, Joey Chestnut is in a place where most pro sports figures still in their game contemplate retirement. I think he’s in the right place at the right time…
~ Maggie J.