Joey Chestnut 'very hopeful' he can compete in hot dog eating contest: 'I'll be hungry'

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As it stands, Joey Chestnut is not permitted to compete in the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The 16-time winner of the event recently signed a brand partnership with Impossible Foods, a rival of Nathan's. Major League Eating ruled he may not compete due to that deal.

While attending Thursday's Indiana Fever-Atlanta Dream WNBA contest, Chestnut said he had "no regrets," saying it was "unfortunate" how "contract negotiations became public."

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Competitive eater Joey Chestnut poses with his mustard yellow championship belt during a game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ball State Cardinals at Sanford Stadium Sept. 9, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

Chestnut is hoping the two sides can come to an agreement so he can compete in Coney Island on the Fourth of July.

"I’m very hopeful that things can be worked out. I’ll be ready if we can get anything worked out. I’ll be hungry," Chestnut said.

In the meantime, it was announced Chestnut will face Takeru Kobayashi, who was the king of the sport before Chestnut captured the crown, in a Netflix-streamed event Sept. 2.

"I’m really excited about the Netflix contest. Me and Kobayashi. He's been my biggest rival forever. I’m just really excited to be able to eat against him again," Chestnut said.

Former champion Takeru Kobayashi, right, and reigning champion Joey Chestnut at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest official weigh-in ceremony July 2, 2009, in New York City. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Although Chestnut is best known for his performance with the wieners, his