It’s an American tradition.
Every 4th of July, the sport’s biggest stars travel to New York. Crowds descend upon Coney Island to witness the performance. And when it’s over, the outcome often boggles the mind.
Wait, what? He ate how many hot dogs? And buns too? In 10 minutes?
Wow … Gross … Are you sure?
Whatever emotions it produces, the Nathan’s Famous annual hot dog eating contest has become a staple of our Independence Day celebrations. It has been around since 1916. Recently, it’s been broadcast on television every year. And it has been featured in one of ESPN’s 30 for 30 films too.
Now, you’ll be able to bet on it — just not in Pennsylvania. State laws prohibit any betting on off-the-field events, but PA players will be able to partake in some daily fantasy contests. And those close to New Jersey could cross state lines to make a wager.
Here’s a crash course in the hot dog contest in case you want a bite of the action.
DraftKings’ partnership with Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest produces $25K prize pool
Yesterday, Major League Eating announced a partnership with DraftKings that will provide both daily fantasy contests and betting in select states related to this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The free-to-play $25,000 daily fantasy pool will feature prop-bet-style choices for players, such as:
- Will Joey Chestnut win?
- Who will finish second?
- Total hot dogs eaten by Joey Chestnut in the first minute?
- How many hot dogs will the men’s division winner eat? Over/Under 72.5?
- Will anyone eat 80 or more hot dogs?
There are eight pool choices in all, giving daily fantasy players the thrill of a sporting event, even if it’s focused on food consumption.
“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is an iconic US tradition that personifies American competition,” said Ezra Kucharz, chief business officer of DraftKings. “We are proud to have partnered with Major League Eating to offer people everywhere the opportunity to engage with such a classic event.”
Joey Chestnut is a bun-size favorite in 2020 Nathan’s Famous Contest
This year’s edition of the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest will be held at a private location and will employ proper health and safety protocols to protect against the coronavirus.
And Joey Chestnut, the defending champion who won last year’s event by ingesting 71 hot dogs in 10 minutes, is a sizable favorite. Chestnut is -1250 to win this year’s event in states such as New Jersey that allow betting on off-the-field events.
The rest of the field is +650, but that wager certainly carries its own risk. The second-place finisher last year, Darron Breeden, finished 50 hot dogs, 21 away from the title.
Miki Sudo is the female favorite
In the women’s competition, Miki Sudo is a heavy favorite as well. Sudo is -835 at DraftKings Sportsbook after eating 31 hot dogs in last year’s competition.
Her personal record was 41 hot dogs and buns, set back in 2018. The rest of the field is +500 this year in their quest to unseat Sudo.
Display of gluttony comes with a side of charity
In addition to the excessive eating, there’s a good bit of charity that accompanies every hot dog eating contest. Each year, Nathan’s Famous donates 100,000 hot dogs to Food Bank for New York City, making sure the hungry are far more satisfied than any of the competitors.
The charitable gesture enhances what is always a fun-filled day, one that will be even more welcome with many sports and other traditions tossed aside by the pandemic.
America’s birthday will arrive in just a couple more days. And one of its favorite foods will get annihilated by a special breed of competitors.
This year, you can even bet on it.
So open up.
And dig in.
