Champion barred from professional eating contest over Impossible Foods deal

It's interesting that Takeru Kobayashi [1], who won the contest six times in a row starting in 2001, also declined to sign an exclusive contract with Nathan's.

Slightly OT but obligatory, the photo in the article reminded me of this classic Bill Murray scene (warning: somewhat revolting): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWPn-C5l3Sk

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeru_Kobayashi#July_2010_con...

Funniest real news article I've read in years.

> Nathan’s had asked Chestnut for a potential carve-out: Could he represent all other products in the [competing] company’s line, except for its plant-based hot dogs? “And they said no, and that was where we got to an impasse,” Shea said. “We just got surprised by this.”

Another brand signed an endorsement deal WITH THE HOT DOG-EATING GUY and you asked him if he could endorse all their products except for the hot dogs?

> The deal with Impossible, which is trying to attract more meat eaters with its new plant-based hot dog, does not prohibit Chestnut from entering eating competitions, including Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog-Eating Contest on July 4. “We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses. It’s OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener,” the California-based company said in a statement.

One of the best PR-written responses I've ever read. Promote this person. In fact, the entire article is the best publicity Impossible could have possibly asked for.

Seems like this is an ongoing problem with this particular eating contest. Which isn't surprising when you learn it was created by, and people eat, a particular brand's hotdogs.

There seems to be enough money in this for whatever reason, to maybe establish an independent event with normal sponsors paying for it.

PS - I don't really follow nor endorse eating contests; but if they're going to exist having a private company with vested interests running them seems unsustainable.

Proof these competitions are just three members of a corporate marketing team in a trench coat.

I never cared for these contests, but lots of people like them and have fun with them. It is too bad the guy is locked out.

So, the reason for this is to compete, you can only compete you must only publicly eat Nathan's Brand Hot Dogs ?

Seems a bit odd, but whatever.

How did the writers forget a "bite that hand that feeds you" joke here? It's just waiting for it.