Joey Chestnut’s Hot Dog Redemption: 17th Title Bid After Impossible Foods Feud

Can competitive eating’s GOAT reclaim his throne? Joey “Jaws” Chestnut returns to Coney Island’s Nathan’s Famous contest after a sponsorship saga that rocked the sport—and faces a hungry new rival.

The Sponsorship War That Banished a Legend

For the first time in 19 years, Joey Chestnut missed the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest—not due to injury or retirement, but a corporate clash. The 16-time champion’s partnership with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat alternative brand, violated Major League Eating’s exclusivity rules. The fallout was swift: Chestnut was barred from competing unless he dropped the deal, a standoff he called “corporate greed over tradition.”

Chestnut’s Instagram announcement of his 2025 return ended the stalemate: “Stomachs, not contracts, should decide championships.” While terms remain undisclosed, insiders suggest Nathan’s softened its stance amid plummeting 2024 viewership (3.2M viewers vs. 5.1M in 2023).

Patrick Bertoletti: From Understudy to Defending Champ

With Chestnut sidelined in 2024, Chicago’s Patrick Bertoletti seized opportunity, downing 58 dogs to claim his first title. Now, the 38-year-old faces a historic challenge: defending his crown against the man who’s dominated since 2007.

By the Numbers: Chestnut vs. Bertoletti

| Metric | Chestnut (Avg. Since 2016) | Bertoletti (2024 Win) |
|———————–|—————————-|———————–|
| Hot Dogs in 10 Minutes | 74.3 | 58 |
| World Records Held | 8 | 0 |
| Career Prize Money | $1.4M | $320K |

“Joey’s the 🐐, but I’ve got that champion mindset now,” Bertoletti told ESPN.

Training for Glory: Chestnut’s 76-Dog Quest

Chestnut’s comeback prep included:

• Hydration Drills: Submerging his face in ice water to suppress gag reflexes
• Vertical Eating: Inverting his body to accelerate digestion
• Mental Rehearsal: VR simulations of Coney Island’s roaring crowds

His goal? To surpass his 2021 world record of 76 hot dogs. Nutritionists warn of risks: “At 40, esophageal elasticity declines,” said Dr. Mark Levine. “But Joey’s diaphragm control is freakish.”

The Impossible Foods Effect: Changing the Game

Chestnut’s feud spotlighted competitive eating’s sponsorship paradox. While Nathan’s forbids rival food brands, athletes increasingly chase deals beyond the circuit:

• Miki Sudo (9x women’s champ) partners with Beyond Meat
• Geoffrey Esper (ranked №3) promotes keto snacks
• Nick Wehry (Sudo’s husband) stars in Chipotle ads

“This isn’t just about hot dogs anymore,” said MLE head George Shea. “It’s ESPN-ification—athletes as influencers.”

Key Takeaways

• Redemption Arc: Chestnut aims to cement legacy after 2024’s corporate clash
• Rivalry Renewed: Bertoletti’s underdog energy vs. Jaws’ experience
• Sponsorship Shift: Plant-based brands disrupt tradition; MLE may revise exclusivity rules
• Physical Risks: Aging eaters face heightened health challenges in extreme competitions
• Record Watch: Chestnut’s 76-dog benchmark could fall if pacing holds

As Coney Island’s crowds gather, the stakes transcend mustard belts. Chestnut’s quest isn’t just for title №17—it’s a battle for the soul of a sport balancing tradition and commercialization. Whether he downs 60 dogs or 80, one truth remains: In competitive eating, the only predictable ingredient is chaos.