The Fourth of July will carry a little lest weight this year thanks to an endorsement deal gone wrong.

On Tuesday morning Major League Eating announced Joey Chestnut won’t be participating in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Why? Well, he signed an endorsement deal with “rival” brand Impossible Foods – an apparent breach of contract with the competition.

“We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” MLE said in a statement on social media.

“MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day,” it continued. “For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship.”