Chestnut did not immediately respond when reached for comment via his website, but said via Twitter/X that he learned from the media that he would not be allowed to participate, placing the blame on organizing body Major League Eating.

“I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned,” he said via social media.

“We love Joey and support him in any contest he chooses,” an Impossible spokesperson told this news organization in an email. “It’s OK to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn’t have to be exclusive to just one wiener.”

A graduate of San Jose State University, Chestnut is listed as No. 1 in Major League Eating’s official rankings and was described on the league’s website as “the apex predator himself.”

Major League Eating addresses Joey Chestnut's choice to represent a rival brand, expressing disappointment and hope for his return to Nathan’s Famous. pic.twitter.com/NrbK4aRUc8

— Major League Eating (@eatingcontest) June 11, 2024

In an email from MLE, spokesperson George Shea said Chestnut is not banned from all MLE competitions, just the Nathan’s contest.

“We love Joey and want him to be at the contest,” Shea said. “We were told by his representatives that he had signed on to represent a rival brand that produces plant-based meats including hot dogs. This created a conflict. We are hoping he will change course.”

Chestnut devoured an astounding and record-breaking 76 hot dogs and buns to win the Nathan’s contest in 2021, and took first place in 2023 by putting away 62 hot dogs and buns.

According to Chestnut’s official website, he also has also claimed records related to other foods. He has wolfed down 4 ⅓ three-pound apple pies in eight minutes, has eaten a 14.5-pound burrito in 10 minutes, pounded down 55 glazed donuts in eight minutes, gobbled 103 Krystal Burgers in eight minutes and devoured a whole 9 ⅓-pound turkey in 10 minutes.

Cruise, described as “driverless ridehail service” in a press release on the official MLB website, now has a patch with the company’s logo on the shoulder of each jersey. The partnership will last until 2025.

Cruise is a subsidiary of General Motors, has also been described as providing a robotaxi service.

The #SFGiants and Cruise. Together, driving our city towards a safer, more environmentally sustainable future.

Today, @Cruise becomes our first official jersey patch partner. pic.twitter.com/hQckJbCrOZ

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 3, 2023

As part of the partnership, hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations will be installed around Oracle Park.

San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said he is a fan of the partnership.

“I think it’s really cool, and I think it was incorporated really well as it doesn’t stand out,” Kapler said. “And you know, Cruise is in San Francisco, a progressive and fantastic company with aspirations to make traffic safe. So it feels very natural.”

Cruise also issued a statement earlier Thursday morning.

“Our expanded partnership with the Giants demonstrates that commitment as we’ll develop hundreds of public electric vehicle chargers in the area,” Cruise VP of marketing Jeff Miller said in a written statement. “For our partner patch, we have collaborated closely with the Giants to create a patch that pays respect to the team, the Bay and the great game of baseball.”

Terms of the Giants’ deal were not disclosed, but most MLB jersey patch deals reportedly range from $5-$17 million per season. The Warriors reportedly receive about $20 million a year from their jersey sponsor deal with Rakuten, a cash-back shopping site. The company’s name has been on Warriors jerseys since 2017.

The Giants are the 14th of the 30 MLB teams to feature a sponsor patch, joining:Arizona DiamondbacksAtlanta BravesBoston Red SoxCincinnati RedsCleveland GuardiansDetroit TigersHouston AstrosLos Angeles AngelsMiami MarlinsNew York MetsNew York YankeesSan Diego PadresSt. Louis Cardinals