Joey Chestnut Makes Big Announcement Amid Hot Dog Eating Contest Controversy

Joey Chestnut became a fixture of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, but won't be competing in this year's Fourth of July competition after being banned due to a contract dispute.

But Chestnut isn't ruling out a future return. Speaking to Sports Illustrated , Chestnut said he still has a relationship with George and Richard Shea, the brothers who run Major League Eating. While the contract dispute got a bit ugly, Chestnut said he could eventually return to the Fourth of July competition.

"I don’t think the Shea brothers are bad people," Chestnut said. "I’m not burning any bridges. And I love it—I love the Fourth of July and that contest. I’m always willing to try. I don’t hold grudges. So nothing is out of the question."

Related: Joey Chestnut To Compete In A Different Hot Dog Eating Contest Amid Ban Controversy

The rift started when Chestnut signed a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods that brought a big pay raise over his appearance fee in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

"According to New York Post, Chestnut received a $200K appearance fee for last year's contest, but Impossible Foods offered him a 4-year, $1.2 million deal to represent its brand instead," reporter Jeff Eisenband shared in a post on X .

Chestnut said he's aware of the massive cultural impact of the Fourth of July contest, hinting that he could return in some form.

" It’s more than a contest," he told Sports Illustrated. "A lot of the mail or letters I get from people, it’s not saying, 'Oh my God, you eat so many hot dogs, it’s amazing.' It’s, 'You’ve been a part of my Fourth of July for so long.' That’s the awesome part. I get to be a part of people’s Fourth of July. I love celebrating the Fourth of July, and the fact that I help other people celebrate the Fourth of July—it’s been really, really fun. And I’m hoping I can still find ways to do that. "