It appears that Joey Chestnut’s dominance in the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest may face a temporary setback.

According to reports, the 16-time champion has been prohibited from participating in this year’s event.

Allegedly, Chestnut has entered into a contract with Impossible Foods, a competitor of Nathan’s, which has introduced a vegan alternative to the traditional hot dog, as detailed by the New York Post.

“We are deeply disappointed to discover that Joey Chestnut has opted to endorse a competing brand that offers plant-based hot dogs rather than participating in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” stated Major League Eating (MLE) in a press release.

MLE mentioned that it had granted Chestnut permission to partake in a competing event on Labor Day, which is set to be aired on Netflix. Chestnut reportedly earned $200,000 for his involvement in last year’s contest and was presented with a lucrative four-year contract worth $1.2 million.

Instead, Chestnut has chosen to promote a rival brand.

“MLE and Nathan’s made significant efforts to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and permitting Joey to compete in a rival, non-branded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day,” the league continued.

“For close to twenty years, we’ve operated within the confines of the same exclusive hot dog agreement. However, it appears that Joey and his management have opted to prioritize a fresh partnership with another brand over our longstanding relationship.”

“Joey Chestnut is undeniably an American icon. We sincerely wish to see him back at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We eagerly await his return when he is not affiliated with a competing brand.”

The 40-year-old, widely hailed as the greatest of all time in his field, has clinched victory in the competition nearly every year since 2007. While he faced a stunning defeat by Matt Stonie in the 2015 event, Chestnut has since secured eight consecutive wins.

His consumption of 76 hot dogs and buns in the 2021 contest stands as a world record. Despite facing tough competition, he managed to devour 62 hot dogs last year, successfully defending his title in just 10 minutes.

Chestnut boasts a plethora of world records, including consuming 32 Big Macs in 38 minutes, devouring 44 Raising Cane’s chicken fingers in just five minutes, and consuming 61.5 four-ounce pork roll sandwiches within a mere 10 minutes, among numerous others.

In a notable incident at the 2022 event, Chestnut apprehended a protester with a chokehold, displaying remarkable composure as he continued to consume 63 hot dogs and buns, undeterred by the interruption.