Competitive eating’s biggest star could be back in the sport’s most notable event this summer on Coney Island.
Major League Eating and Joey Chestnut have been in talks for the legendary eater to return to the famed Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, The Post confirmed on Tuesday.
TMZ first reported that the two sides had been actively negotiating to have Chestnut return to the annual Coney Island event a year after he was barred from competing over a contract dispute related to a sponsorship deal with another hot dog brand.
This time around, that has not been a factor in talks and both parties want to get a deal done.
Major League Eating declined to comment to The Post and a request for comment from Chestnut was not immediately returned.
The Post had broken the news last year that the beloved competitive eater, colloquially called Jaws, had been barred from the July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition over his deal with Impossible Foods, which had launched a meatless hot dog at the time.
The shocking controversy surrounding the hot dog eating contest was headline-making news across the city and even drew in Mayor Eric Adams, who called everyone to “find a way to squash this beef” and allow the 16-time Nathan’s hot dog eating champ to compete.
Chestnut did not end up competing in the Nathan’s contest and for the first time since 2015, someone other than Chestnut took home the Mustard Belt, with Chicago native Patrick Bertoletti claiming the crown last year after scarfing down 58 dogs.
Signs that a potential return to the annual Fourth of July event popped up late last month when Chestnut expressed a desire to compete in this year’s contest in an interview with The Blast, though he seemed to doubt a reunion would occur.
“If they came back with similar terms we were talking about last year, I would definitely consider it,” he said in the interview. “I’d work with them to make sure there weren’t any conflicts with other sponsors. … But honestly, I don’t think they want to go down that route. And yeah, it’s a bummer. I love that contest.”
Chestnut is a household name for holding the record for most wins at the Nathan’s competition and set the world record for most hot dogs eaten with 83, which he set last September, surpassing his previous mark of 76.