Mike Hoffman’s rejection letter
Mike “The Real Skinny” Hoffman has posted his rejection letter from IFOCE on his blog. As in the Moe’s Burritos for Life contest, being ranked is given as sufficient justification for blocking entrance.
The Nathan’s Famous hot dog contest is an IFOCE/MLE event. It has just recently come to my attention that you are ranked by a rival eating league and are therefore not eligible to participate in the Nathan’s Famous contest, or any IFOCE or Major League Eating events.
If this restriction is upheld for everyone listed in the AICE rankings, it will prevent Kobayashi from competing in Nathan’s.
Loading ...
Mega Munch said
May 20, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Wow, good point. Although I always wondered why Koby was listed on the AICE rankings in the first place. Anyone know?
And is being ranked the disqualifying factor or is it ANY partcipation in AICE events? Carey Poehlmann had his Nathan’s qualifier entrances revoked only because he participated in Windmill. It seems like a lot of aspiring eaters (i.e. guys who don’t know about all the politics surrounding the two organizations) would eat in whatever contest they could get their hands on and that this rule might prevent the IFOCE from gaining some good young talent (like Carey).
carey poehlmann said
May 20, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
Ah yes, the letter. I remember the feeling of dread when I got this one myself. Mine was worded a little differently, stating that I was “affiliated” with another eating league, or “Rival” league, as they said. Here I thought it was just an impersonal form letter. Guess there might really be someone there named Kate Westfall. So, the point of this comment. I believe that revoking an invitation to compete in an event is not only wrong morally, but it also is a bad business decision.
Morally I think it is wrong because the few chances that amatuers get to compete in major events, now is down to none. The AICE doesn’t care what you were in before, so anyone can compete. They also don’t make you sign a contract first, so you can do what you like afterwards. The IFOCE, on the otherhand, believes that you should not only give your freedom of competing away to them, but also a great percentage of any money you make from your eating fame.
And why is it a bad business decision to exclude eaters who competed in other leagues? Well, these are dedicated athletes who could be growing your organization. This is all I am going to say about that, because I am sure they think they know what they are doing, and any valid points I make from here on in would just help the “Rival” league that I don’t care to be a part of anyway.
Mike "The Real Skinny Hoffman said
May 21, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
Thank you recognizing my blog and the issue. I have always looked at eatfeats.com for upcoming events and news in the competitive eating circuit. I take comfort in the fact that I am not the only one to be the victim of such bias in the realm of competitive eating. As a member of the AICE, I have never experienced the treatment I received this weekend. I was contacted by Kate Westfall via e-mail at 5:30 PM, which was after office hours and did not give me any opportunity to respond. Through my research, I discovered Nathan’s has nothing to do with the contest, other than providing the locations and hot dogs. If this is what it means to be a ranked eater with the AICE, I am honored.
NY Wings Man said
May 21, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
Mike… if you know that AICE have been rejected in the past when trying to enter the Nathan’s qualifiers, why did you enter? You must have known this would be the result. I mean it may not be right, but its the IFOCE’s contest and they cant accept and reject whomever they wish.
Rhonda Evans said
May 21, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Did anyone expect anything any different? It has always been this way. If you eat as an independent eater don’t expect to be embraced in IFOCE events. If you do, you are only kidding yourself and are needlessly setting yourself up for disappointment.
Hell, Peggy O’Neill’s is not a bad place to be on the 4th of July!
If you’re at Nathan’s no one will know you’re there, unless you can eat MORE than 50 dogs. As great as Pat and Tim’s qualifying performances were, they will be merely also-rans at Nathan’s, because Koby and Joey will blow them both out of the water.
Let’s face it, unless one can be ABOVE 40 at the 9-minute mark, neither the Sheas, nor the sponsors, nor the media will express any interest in them and they will be forgotten like last year’s World Series winner — at least temporarily, until the next contest.
If I were an independent eater I would be happy to be there. If I were a mid- or lower-ranked IFOCE eater, given limited events and few opportunities to engage in a livelihood that I thoroughly enjoy, I would jump ship to the independents in the time it takes Dale Boone to ring his cow bell.
Dale himself would be better as a non-IFOCE entity also.
it's-about-the-fun said
May 21, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Dear Mega Munch:
Good points. However, one point needs to be clarified-THERE ARE NO POLITICS with AICE. All of the politics are actions by the IFOCE to obstruct AICE and anybody else’s entrance and freedom in competitive eating. The latest turn down of applications of Independent Eaters (AICE does not own Independent Eaters) reflects that. What AICE is probably most proud about is that these two guys will wear it like a badge of honor. (By the way, Hi there Dick and George!) Hoffman & Poehlman are two more eaters in the long line of eaters who have been screwed over by the Shea’s. However, the mistreatment that the original AICE guys received goes way beyond being denied entry into a contest.
? said
May 21, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
The running total is at 3….
Wing Tut
The Real Skinny
Pennsylvania Powerhouse
Carey Poehlmann said
May 21, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
It’s About the Fun, you sound like someone who has been screwed yourself. Possibly a wingbowl?
You are right about the politics. I can eat in an event that isn’t sanctioned by the AICE also, which is something that even an unknown IFOCE eater couldn’t do. There are still alot of those around at restaurants and fairs. Don’t forget also, those restaurant Challenges that the IFOCE bans. (or are they just frowned upon)
You got plenty of friends Mike. Enjoy yourself.