Though it’s eating at him that he’s not competing this year in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition, Joey Chestnut hopes that it will all work out someday.

We reported on how the hotdog-devouring superstar got banned from the biggest competition in his field. It all stemmed from him switching teams from Nathan’s to Impossible Foods — a vegan brand.

Switching teams didn’t sit well with Major League Eating (MLE), the organization that sponsors the annual event at Coney Island. MLE is taking action against the legend since he decided to “represent a rival brand.” And he’s banned from this year’s competition.

Joey Chestnut responds to the abrupt ban

“I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I’m banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest,” the champ posted on X. “I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on July 4th and I have been training to defend my title.”

“To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with,” he added. “This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event.”

Additionally, he noted, “Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!”

That glutinous mindset of returning to the weiner game for Nathan lingers because he talked about how hopeful he is for a return. And he’s hungry.

Good vibes for the future

In a brief interview with On3’s Talia Goodman, Chestnut sits tight, waiting for things to change.

“I’m very hopeful that things can be worked out,” he said while attending the Indiana Fever’s game vs. the Atlanta Dream. “I’ll be ready if we can get anything worked out. I’ll be hungry.”

Though he’s out at Nathan’s, there’s some encouraging things ahead.

Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi to battle it out on Netflix’s hot dog eating contest

Netflix posted on X announcing that on Monday, September 2, they will air a live event between the two overindulged eaters. Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef will be “the ultimate hot dog eating competition,” according to the streamer.

Kobayashi is known as “the godfather of competitive eating.” He’s a six-time champion of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and could definitely give Chestnut a mouthful of competition.

So, though we won’t be seeing Joey Chestnut at Nathan’s this year (unless things ultimately do turn around), we’ll be seeing him scarf down dozens of dogs soon. In the meantime, hopefully, the MLE beef ends, and they can swallow their differences and move on.