Joey Chestnut can breathe easy—and keep gulping down hot dogs. Major League Eating announced Wednesday that it will not discipline the competitive eating legend for his recent battery case, clearing the way for him to defend his title at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The decision comes after Chestnut pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in April, stemming from an incident at an Indiana bar where he allegedly slapped a man. According to TMZ Sports, MLE chairman George Shea confirmed the organization reviewed the matter and found no violation of its conduct rules.
“This incident does not violate the organization’s code of conduct, as it occurred outside any organizational event or activity and was addressed by local authorities,” Shea told TMZ.
Chestnut was sentenced to 180 days of probation after admitting to police that he was “too drunk” to recall the exact details of the altercation. Surveillance footage showed an open-hand slap, but Chestnut reportedly remained unconvinced he acted maliciously.
The 17-time Nathan’s champion will be roughly halfway through his probation by the time the iconic Coney Island contest rolls around. That timeline ensures his return to the stage where he reclaimed his crown last year by devouring 70.5 hot dogs and buns.
His absence from the 2024 event—due to a sponsorship dispute with MLE—allowed Patrick Bertoletti to snap Chestnut’s eight-year winning streak. But Chestnut roared back in 2025, and now he’s poised to chase title number 18.
The ruling removes the last remaining off-field distraction for Chestnut, who has dominated the sport for nearly two decades. It also underscores MLE’s stance that personal conduct outside its events falls under local jurisdiction, not league oversight.
While Chestnut’s case drew attention, it's far from the only off-field controversy in sports this year. Recent headlines have included everything from cheating claims in a Florida baseball state title game to a Super Bowl halftime stuntman being found guilty of resisting arrest. And with the Arrowhead Stadium overhaul for the 2026 World Cup already underway, the sports world keeps churning.
For now, Chestnut’s focus returns to what he does best: competitive eating. With MLE’s blessing and probation ticking down, the only thing left to settle is how many hot dogs he can put away on July 4th.
