It must be a very tough situation when the only thing you’re known for suddenly disappears. But that might be the case for professional competitive eater Joey Chesnut.

It’s been reported that Chesnut has been “banned” from the annual July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition. Which apparently is the only thing Chesnut can’t swallow. 

The report comes from a sponsorship deal Chesnut struck with a different hot dog maker. Which is understandable for Nathan’s to feel slighted. Chesnut is the biggest (not literally) competitive eater in the world. The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition is the biggest eating competition in the world. They’ve given Chesnut the largest platform, making him who he is, and yet, he wants to help promote a DIFFERENT hot dog brand? 

Oh, and by the way, Chesnut has been paid $200,000 a year by Nathan’s to appear in the contest. 

Meanwhile, Chesnut has played the victim on social media, but this seems pretty easy to understand. In fact, Nathan’s has even said they’ll drop the “ban”, if Chesnut drops the partnership deal. Something, so far, he is unwilling to do.

But, leading up to July 4th, which is just a few weeks away, this could be a game of chicken to see which side will blink first. Could Chesnut really afford to miss out on this year’s hot dog eating competition? Or has he become bigger than the actual competition by now? 

If you love starting your Independence Day by watching randos shove hot dogs down their gullets, well, then this year’s holiday may be a little different for you. We’ll see who blinks first. 

Chesnut, reportedly, has developed quite the ego over the years. Apparently that’s where all the food goes…