CalorieLab has been in contact with Takeru Kobayashi’s publicists and has produced several posts about his contractual issues. In one post, explains Kobayashi’s grievances and contradicts the claim that the new contract is similar to previously signed documents:

He says that previous contracts only prohibited him from appearing in eating contests that weren’t sponsored by the MFE or its sister organization the International Federation of Competitive Eating without IFOCE permission. They did not prohibit Mr. Kobayashi from appearing in television or radio commercials or from appearing on television and radio shows.

Kobayashi also claims that the contract prohibits him from appearing on Japanese competitive eating television programs, which would explain his absence from “Gluttonous King” and similar shows. (There is no restriction on Japanese appearances. This was translated incorrectly.)

In another post, Kobayashi says he would be willing to compete tomorrow with no appearance fee if the exclusitivity requirement is also dropped.

update In the most recent post, Kobayashi describes his new immigration status after moving to New York City earlier this year.

He decided to try to obtain a visa on his own, and he took it upon himself to apply for and ultimately receive an O-1 visa. The IFOCE, in the form of George and Richard Shea, the publicists behind MLE and the IFOCE, didn’t take kindly to this development, since being Mr. Kobayashi’s visa sponsor had given them a considerable degree of control over Mr. Kobayashi’s U.S. activities. A free agent Kobayashi roaming around the United States, was worrisome. Thus the MLE’s more restrictive and hardline contract proposal to Mr. Kobayashi.

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Takeru Kobayashi recently posted a blog entry about declining to extend his IFOCE contract which has the English title “My freedom”. (automatically translated)

As long as the body, I thought I want to continue playing, in order to obtain a license in this league, you have to sign the contract situation is more severe than ever have.

You can not eat hot dogs in front of the media, they appeared on television without permission, you can not eat that early performances.

Kobayashi mentions visa issues play a role in his rejection of the contract.

(The blog is on Japanese time so the date is July 3)

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Kobayashi did an interview with the New York Daily News, where he says restriction from competing in in non-IFOCE contests is the reason why he is not extending his contract.

“They want complete control over me,” he told the Daily News. “I just want to compete and do what I love. They are trying to take away my freedom.”

Kobayashi says that he is training as if he will compete Sunday

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Travel Channel episode guide | gallery

Restaurants

• Caliente Challenge – “Stupid” Wings
  Home Page | Facebook | Yelp
  Episode clip about “Stupid” Wing Challenge tips
  Articles about taping: Richmond Times-Dispatch | RVANews
  Video of Adam Richman coaching John Berman of ABC News through the “Stupid” Wing Challenge
  ABC News Nightline segment about Man vs. Food where John Berman attempts the challenge
• The Black Sheep meal – “battleship” sandwich
  Home Page | Yelp
  Picture of “battleship” sandwich
• Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue
  Home Page | Yelp

List of Richmond eating challenges in the eatfeats database

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update The new poll asks what you think Kobayashi’s future in competitive eating will be.

ESPN Sportcenter recently announced that Takeru Kobayashi has failed to reach a contract agreement with Major League Eating and is not scheduled to appear in the July 4 contest. This will end his streak at 9 contests (6 victories) if he does not compete.

An official article has not been released. Use twitter search for “Kobayashi” if you need verification.

update Fanhouse has a blog entry raising the possibility that the contract dispute is a publicity stunt.

Deadspin has a blog entry with Richard Shea’s statement.

update #2 IFOCE.com has a post consisting solely of Richard Shea’s statement

update #3 The Wall Street Journal’s Metropolis blog has an entry noting that the MLE contract does not offer a guaranteed payout.

update #4 Kobayashi’s blog makes no mention of a contract dispute. The most recent entry (June 24) talks about received the book Tacky the Penguin from Crazy Legs Conti.

update #5 CSNBayArea has an interview with Joey Chestnut (link fixed, thanks gastroboy)

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