MLE hopes to resolve conflict with Chestnut: 'America needs that hero'

Major League Eating commissioner George Shea is keeping the door open for Joey Chestnut to defend his title at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

MLE barred Chestnut from this year's July Fourth event after he signed a deal with Impossible Foods to promote the company's plant-based hot dog, which caused a conflict of interest with the competition. Chestnut's exemption from the event ends his Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest winning streak that dates back to 2016.

"It's a catastrophe," Shea told Audacy's AM 560 Sports WQAM on Tuesday. "We did not want this. What happened is his reps came to us and said we have signed with a plant-based meat company that does hot dogs and that's that.

"He didn't come to us and say we have this other offer and let's talk. It was, 'This offer is signed,' so it made it very difficult to negotiate it."

Shea said MLE has no issue with Chestnut's endorsement deal, but it would be a conflict to have him representing a rival hot dog brand while holding the Nathan's title. Still, Shea added that he's hopeful the two sides can work things out.

"(I) would work it out tomorrow. I would work it out on July 3. I would work it out on July 3 of next year," Shea said. "Joey is always welcome at the Fourth of July. He is in my opinion, the Fourth of July. He is a freedom-made man. America needs that hero."

Chestnut released a statement Tuesday expressing disappointment over MLE's decision.

"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 on Instagram. "This is apparently the basis on which I'm being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July Fourth 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 tuned and STAY HUNGRY!"