 16-time champion Joey Chestnut signed an endorsement deal with a vegan hot dog company. So for the first time in a long time, he's not going to be at the contest. But host George Shea says it's not for lack of trying on Nathan's part. He is never banned. He's never been banned. We want him there. We wanted him there. We conceded on all these elements. It was an exclusivity issue. The door is always open. He's the champion of the world, the greatest champion ever. We want him in Coney Island. He's always welcome.