Kobayashi calls IFOCE contract a “slave contract”
AOL Weird News has an article about Takeru Kobayashi being removed from the Nathan’s “Wall of Fame” which includes the following statement from Kobayashi via his translator Maggie James:
By not signing their contract, they will erase you from the wall. They are not deep about the spirit of history. They do as they wish. They are not presenting a contract that protects the league as a whole. They only present individual slave contracts which control each player in their category of value. Nothing protects the sport.
A picture of the old wall with Kobayashi still appears on the Nathan’s Famous facebook page.
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hmmm said
May 9, 2011 @ 2:12 pm
Wait…slaves had contracts?
Anonymous said
May 9, 2011 @ 2:28 pm
Isn’t “slave contract” a bit of an oxymoron?
Jamminjoe said
May 9, 2011 @ 3:08 pm
Actually some slaves did have contracts, these were termed “Indentured Servents”. An indentured servant was typically a young, unskilled laborer contracted to work for an employer for a fixed period of time, typically three to seven years, in exchange for transportation, food, clothing, lodging and other necessities during the term of their indenture. They included men and women; most were under age 21, and most became helpers on farms or house servants. They were not paid wages. this was a common practice untill the early 1800″ and finally outlawed Just before 1900. The practice was reborn just after 2001by a firm now known as mle.
Contract Dispute said
May 9, 2011 @ 3:46 pm
Slaves did not have a choice, we do. I believe he (Koby) is referring to the contract itself. The rules laid out are actually quite restrictive. They basically ban any and all activities having anything to do with eating without prior approval. Seems to me that he is just pointing out how tightly wound the stipulations of the contract are and by signing it you are choosing to “sell” yourself to MLE and forgo any and all rights you had as an independent eater with your “career” in eating left in the hands of the Shea Brothers completely.
Anonymous said
May 9, 2011 @ 4:08 pm
Or do you mean like a BDSM slave?
anonymous said
May 9, 2011 @ 4:19 pm
This man has been railroaded to the highest degree possible
Anonymous said
May 9, 2011 @ 4:30 pm
Jamminjoe, very interesting and great punchline. “The eaters have made significant money on our platform and we treat them very well,” said Shea. “[Kobayashi] must be frustrated with his decision.” I guess MLE really never looks at any stats on eatfeats about earnings. Lots of numbers thrown out, actually there is only one, a big one, it is Joey’s. It implies that there are many more eaters earning big bucks.
Nathan in Cali said
May 9, 2011 @ 5:19 pm
“The eaters have made significant money on our platform and we treat them very well,†– said Shea
This applies to a very select few, I believe Koby was one of those select few. Any eater outside of the MLE’s fav “special treatment” circle really should be able to do whatever they want, or there really should be some clause in the contract that says if you earn more the X amount of dollars (Say $1K) a year you can’t do outside events.
I see more and more gigger dollar indy events springing up lately, would be in the best interest of those who aren’t freaks of Nature to seek those out then to stick with MLE. Unless of coarse you are those SELECT few who get special treatment.
Oh Yeah said
May 9, 2011 @ 7:29 pm
It was the additional addons that Kobi didn’t like according to a interview I read.
anonymous said
May 9, 2011 @ 11:28 pm
That’s hogwash, according to hot dog contest organizer George Shea, president of Major League Eating.
Shea said Kobayashi wasn’t erased from the mural because of contract disputes. He was removed because he’s no longer relevant.
“The wall changes periodically,” said Shea. “It is updated to reflect the current champion. It is not a ‘Hall of Fame’ that honors past champions, it is a ‘Wall of Fame’ that honors those who are competing now.”
What George meant was he is no longer relevant because he did not sign the contract. Updated to reflect the current champ? If he signed the contract, using the bleach job on his image would be the furthest thing from their mind
hmmm said
May 10, 2011 @ 9:28 am
The above quote goes to solidify the fact that Mr.$hea is full of shit.
Stacey a.k.a Eataroma McCarthy said
May 10, 2011 @ 10:20 am
Stacey a.k.a Eataroma looking for competitive eaters to be on his reality show based on competive eating. Please contat me at 484 838 9974 or send pic and bio to my email:spaceman-02@hotmail.com Thank You
Reality Show:Looking For Competitive Eaters said
May 10, 2011 @ 10:25 am
Stacey, a.k.a Eataroma competitive eater looking for eaters for reality show. Please send pic and bio to my email: spaceman-02@hotmail.com or call me at 484 838 9974 thank you
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
May 10, 2011 @ 11:13 am
CCEL huh
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
May 10, 2011 @ 1:28 pm
Koby is a legend. He was the face and the man in CE. But all this slave contract and feel bad for me crap is getting dull. I mean if you want to do Nathans you have to pay a price. That is all there is to it. You sign the contract or you do not. Is it worth it? That is what you need to be able to answer. I understand each eater has their own path to follow. I see someone like Joe and I respect his choice to break free because it was best for him. But Koby was the golden child. How was it not paying off for him?
Observer said
May 10, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
But still no Bob Shoudt on the wall which would certainly solidify a “wall of champions.” It’s all a lie.
Nathan in Cali said
May 10, 2011 @ 5:00 pm
Observer said
May 10, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
But still no Bob Shoudt on the wall which would certainly solidify a “wall of champions.†It’s all a lie.
————
that’s a very accurate assesment, considering they were labeling bob last year as somebody who can give Joey a run for his money.
oh yeah said
May 11, 2011 @ 12:11 am
Kobi’s contract was diffrent from others.Too many addons.Choking him from doing other projects.
Anonymous said
May 11, 2011 @ 3:23 pm
I feel really horrible for Koby that they removed his picture from the Nathans wall just because he’s not signed with them anymore. People seem to forget that if it wasn’t for him competitive eating wouldnt be half as popular in america as it is now. He made Nathans what it is